The  Christian  Athlete 


AQuiLLA  Webb 

Pastor  First  Presbyterian  Church 
los  angeles,  gal. 


Los  Angeles,  C'al. 

Commercial  Printing  House 

i9oa 


Copyright,  igo2,  by  Aquilla  Webb. 
All  rights  reserved. 


THIS  STORY  IS  DEDICATED 
TO 

ROBERT  IRVING  FULTON 

A  MAN  IN  CHRIST  JESUS 

WHOSE  FRIENDSHIP 

IS 

PRIZEB  ABOVE  ANY  EARTHLY 

TREASURE 


CONTENTS 


Chapter    I.  Treasures  on  Earth 

II.  A  Friend  in  Need 

III.  The  Struggle  for  Wisdom 

IV.  A  Priceless  Jewel 

V.  The  Valiant  Athlete 

VI.  An  Unseen  Guide 

VII.  Alone  in  the  World. 

Vlll.  The  Imposter  Unmasked 

IX.  Harmony  in  Diversity 

X.  A  Cloudless  Morning 

XI.  A  Love- Wrought  Masterpiece 

XII.  The  Giant  in  the  Pulpit 


PREFACE 


This  story  was  first  read  to  my  parish  in  Massachusetts. 
From  the  first  the  new  method  of  presenting  truth  met 
with  a  hearty  response,  and  instead  of  a  few  present  the 
church  was  crowded  evening  after  evening.  The  attend- 
ance after  the  story  was  finished  continued  ahnost  the 
same.  People  thus  became  deeply  interested  in  the  Sunday 
evening  services.  At  that  time  there  were  many  requests 
for  publication.  A  busy  pastorate  does  not  allow  much 
time  for  such  work,  and  the  duties  of  the  parish  prevented 
further  consideration  of  the  stor}'. 

When  called  to  my  present  field  of  labor  the  same 
problem  of  the  Sunday  evening  service  was  present.  The 
best  sermons  that  could  be  prepared  by  the  pastor,  and 
the  most  excellent  music  of  a  consecrated  choir,  failed  to 
attract  the  indifferent  people  of  the  community.  In  des- 
peration the  sermon  story  was  re-written  and  given.  Free 
use  of  the  newspapers  and  special  music  secured  a  splen- 
did attendance  for  the  first  evening.  The  congregations 
constantly  increased,  and  the  interest  in  the  story  was 
greater  than  when  first  given. 

One  chapter  was  read  each  Sunday  evening,  running 
through  three  months.  Each  reading  was  preceded  by  a 
ten-minute  sermon  on  the  text.  The  lessons  were  enforced 
in  petition  rather  than  exhortation. 

Yielding  to  many  urgent  requests  this  story  is  now 
sent  forth  with  the  hope  that  it  will  work  that  which  is 
good  toward  all  men,  especially  toward  them  that  are  not 
of  the  household  of  faith. 


CHAPTER  I. 


TREASURES  ON  EARTH. 


"Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  on  earth." 

The  beautiful  city  of  Cleveland  slept  on  the  shore 
of  the  great  lake  that  swept  far  out  into  the  still 
night.  The  restless  waves  broke  upon  the  pebbled 
shore  and  the  anchored  boats  were  never  at  rest. 
While  all  seemed  at  first  glance  to  be  quiet,  here  and 
there  a  lone  boat  was  dropping  an  anchor,  here 
and  there  was  a  gleam  across  the  dark  waters.  How 
like  the  restless  waters  was  the  life  of  that  western 
city.  The  city  seemed  to  be  entirely  wrapt  in  slum- 
ber, but  here  and  there  was  a  sentinel,  a  homeless 
wanderer,  a  gleam  of  light.  One  place  especially — 
the  great  printing  office  of  the  Cleveland  Plain 
Dealer — showed  no  signs  of  quiet  or  rest.  The 
usual  routine  of  news  gathering  and  printing  was 
commonplace  and  rather  dull.  On  this  night,  how- 
ever, every  one  seemed  interested  in  the  sheets  as 
they  came  from  the  swiftly  flying  rollers.  The 
work  was  completed  just  as  the  gray  dawn  came 
over  the  high  hills  of  the  east.  As  the  hum  of  ma- 
chinery ceased  and  the  workers  became  quiet  the 
singing  of  birds  was  heard.  Then  a  little  later  came 
the  rumble  of  an  early  wagon  on  the  way  to  mar- 

9 


lO  TREASURES    ON    EARTH. 

ket,  then  the  sound  of  an  electric  car,  then  the  tramp 
of  the  early  workers,  and  ere  long  the  city  was  to 
awake  and  to  be  taking  its  part  among  the  great 
centers  of  trade.  As  the  people  passed  the  bulletin 
if  the  Plain  Dealer,  they  looked  up,  as  was  their 
custom,  to  read  the  news.  They  read,  rubbed  their 
eyes,  read  again,  then  gathered  in  groups  to  discuss 
the  news.  The  newsboys  hurrying  to  the  office  for 
their  papers  saw  the  crowd  before  the  bulletin  and 
guessed  that  there  was  something  unusual  in  the 
paper.  They  secured  their  bundles  and  read  in  large 
letters:  "Bank  Failure — The  Savings  Bank  has 
failed." 

On  the  street  corners,  in  the  counting  houses,  at 
the  Board  of  Trade — everywhere,  the  news  was 
flashed,  and  everywhere  there  was  genuine  surprise. 
The  boys  sold  all  their  papers  without  effort,  and 
then  crowded  and  pushed  each  other  at  the  office 
waiting  for  the  next  edition.  One  of  the  boys 
wished  a  bank  would  fail  every  day,  but  another 
Httle  fellow  said:  "Well,  I  don't.  'Cause  there'd 
be  so  many  guys  out  of  a  job  that  some  of  them 
would  have  to  sell  papers,  and  I  guess  we've  got 
more'n  'nuff  now."  The  second  edition  came  out 
and  was  soon  disposed  of. 

The  Savings  Bank  was  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  trusted  institutions  in  the  city.  Thousands 
had  their  earnings  in  the  bank,  and  were  receiving 
a  reasonable  amount  of  interest.  The  president, 
Mr.  McDonald,  was  among  the  wealthiest  and  most 
respected  citizens  of  Cleveland.  He  had  been  pres- 
ident of  the  bank  for  twenty-five  years,  and  every 
one  had  the  greatest  confidence  in  his  honesty  and 
business    ability.     Besides    being    president  of    the 


THK    CHRISTIAN    ATHI.ETE.  II 

bank,  he  held  many  positions  of  trust,  and  was  an 
elder  in  the  Bethany  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  hundreds  who  had  placed  their  hard  earnings 
in  the  Savings  Bank  could  not  believe  the  story. 
Many  left  their  work  and  joined  with  the  curious 
multitude  that  stood  in  front  of  the  bank  waiting 
for  it  to  open.  What  an  odd,  what  an  interest- 
ing, what  a  pathetic  sight !  There  was  the  news- 
boy, who  had  saved  his  pennies  from  selling  papers 
and  shining  boots.  There  was  the  wash  woman, 
who  had  been  toiling  away  for  years,  denying  her- 
self many  necessities,  in  order  to  have  enough 
money  to  buy  a  little  cottage  of  her  own  some  time. 
There  was  the  teamster  in  his  blue  clothes,  sadly 
recalling  how  many  days'  work  it  had  taken  to  lay 
up  his  small  sum.  There  was  the  cripple  who  had 
invested  his  all  and  stood  silently  weeping  over  his 
loss,  and  wondering  what  would  become  of  him. 
Despair  was  written  on  every  countenance  and  spoke 
in  every  action. 

In  the  midst  of  this  confusion  and  pathos  the  car- 
riage of  Mr.  McDonald  drove  up.  Mr.  McDonald 
climbed  upon  the  carriage  seat  by  his  coachman. 
Tall,  broad-shouldered,  clean-shaven,  faultlessly  at- 
tired, he  was  such  a  figure  as  would  command  re- 
spect and  deference  on  any  occasion.  Now  as  the 
pale-faced  man  suddenly  appeared  in  their  midst 
every  movement  ceased,  every  murmur  was  hushed ; 
all  waited  in  breathless  expectancy.  "Ladies  and 
gentlemen/'  he  began;  "this  failure  is  as  much  of 
a  surprise  to  me  as  to  you.  As  you  know,  I  have 
been  away  for  a  few  months  attending  to  outside 
business  interests  and  getting  a  little  rest.  When 
I  returned  I  found  affairs  at  home  so  involved  that 


12  TRKASURKS    ON    EARTH. 

the  directors  at  once  closed  the  bank.  The  cause  of 
the  failure  I  cannot  explain,  but  a  thorough  inves- 
tigation will  be  made."  There  was  a  moment  of 
silence,  and  then  one  trembling  voice  from  the 
crowd  called  out :    "What  about  our  money  ?" 

"If  you  will  be  patient  with  me,  I  will  tell  you. 
I  have  made  an  assignment  of  everything  I  possess, 
and  in  due  time  every  dollar  will  be  paid.  And  now 
I  advise  you  to  return  to  your  homes  or  your  work, 
and  not  waste  time  here  in  front  of  the  bank,  as  it 
will  not  be  open  for  a  few  days." 

There  was  considerable  hesitation,  grumbling  and 
muttering,  but  slowly  the  crowd  dispersed,  and  only 
the  poor  washer  woman  remained,  still  hoping 
against  hope  that  the  bank  would  open,  notwith- 
standing Mr.  McDonald's  assurance. 

The  regular  editions  of  the  papers  came  out  the 
next  day  giving  assurances  to  the  depositors  that 
they  would  be  paid  in  full. 

The  cause  of  the  failure  was  given  as  "a  mys- 
tery." Mr.  Oscar  Tupper,  the  cashier,  was  inter- 
viewed, but  said  he  could  not  account  for  the  failure. 
He  said  he  could  hardly  think  Mr.  McDonald  would 
gamble ;  still  he  might  have  done  so.  "Now,"  said 
he,  "although  I  am  not  a  church  member,  it  is 
against  my  principles  to  gamble.  Still,  some  church 
members  have  queer  notions  of  right,  and  Mr.  Mc- 
Donald may  have  felt  justified  in  his  peculations." 
Yet,  even  while  he  spoke,  he  knew  he  was  giving 
a  most  false  impression. 

When  Mr.  McDonald  was  shown  Mr.  Tupper's 
interview  by  a  reporter,  and  asked  what  he  had  to 
say,  he  answered  simply :  "I  have  defrauded  no 
man.     The  cause  will  ultimately  be  given  to  the 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  13 

public.     I  have  nothing  more  to  say."     Only  Mr. 
McDonald  could  know  how  the  unkind  reflections 
had  cut  him  to  the  heart.    He  had  taken  Mr.  Tup- 
per  a  penniless  lad  from  a  counting  liouse  and  had 
helped  him  up  step  by  step  to  the  cashier's  posi- 
tion.    In  the  midst  of  his  reflections,  Mr.  Tupper 
called  him  up  by  telephone. 
"Hello!"  said  Mr.  McDonald. 
"Is  this  Mr.  McDonald?" 
"Yes." 

"This  is  Mr.  Tupper." 
"How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Tupper?" 
"Very  well,  thank  you.  I  called  you  up  to  assure 
you  that  the  interview  in  this  morning's  paper  en- 
tirely misrepresents  me.  I  guess  the  reporter 
wanted  something  of  a  sensational  nature  and  man- 
ufactured the  story." 

"I'm  real  glad  to  hear  you  say  that,"  said  Mr. 
McDonald,  "for  I  knew  you  were  not  quoted  cor- 
rectly. The  report  in  the  paper  is  a  very  unfortu- 
nate one,  as  it  puts  me  in  a  false  position." 

"It  certainly  does,  Mr.  McDonald,  and  I  will  do 
all  I  can  to  correct  the  matter." 

"Thank  you.    I  knew  you  would." 
"Good-bye." 
"Good-bye." 

Yet  Mr.  Tupper  was  careful  not  to  make  the 
statement  public  in  regard  to  misrepresentation. 
The  reporter  had  not  misrepresented  his  interview 
with  Mr.  Tupper.  Mr.  Tupper  was  anxious  to  have 
the  public  believe  himself  honest,  and  thus  to  retain 
his  position. 

The  excited  public  was  ready  for  some  such 
charge,  and  accepted  Mr.  Tupper's  insinuations  as 
facts. 


14  TRBASURKS    ON    EARTH. 

How  dense  was  the  gloom  that  settled  over  the 
McDonald  house !  Mr.  McDonald,  with  broken 
voice,  had  explained  to  his  wife  and  his  two  chil- 
dren, Hester  and  Everett,  what  was  to  come,  and 
they  were  in  some  measure  prepared  for  the  sen- 
sation in  the  Plain  Dealer.  Not  one  seemed  to  real- 
ize what  a  crisis  had  come  into  their  lives.  They 
sat  silent  and  looked  dazed.  They  had  no  desire 
for  food,  and  only  cared  to  avoid  the  curious  public. 
Hester  had  graduated  from  Wellesley  College,  and 
had  been  home  but  a  short  time  from  a  trip  abroad. 
She  had  been  planning  to  enter  society  that  fall, 
but  all  such  plans  were  now  forgotten.  Everett  was 
a  junior  in  the  Ohio  Wcsleyan  University.  He  was 
at  home  on  his  spring  vacation  when  the  crash 
came.  Of  course,  he  could  not  now  think  of  re- 
turning to  finish  his  work. 

Mr.  McDonald,  day  after  day,  paced  to  and  fro 
in  his  room,  like  a  caged  lion.  He  ran  his  fingers 
through  his  iron-gray  hair,  his  large  blue  eyes 
gleamed  with  a  fixed  purpose.  He  had  been  robbed 
of  his  fortune  and  his  good  name.  He  meant  to 
fasten  the  blame  at  once  and  send  the  guilty  parties 
to  swift  justice.  However,  resolutions  are  more 
easily  made  than  executed.  In  settling  up  the  ac- 
counts of  the  bank,  the  McDonald  home  on  Euclid 
Avenue  was  sold  and  the  McDonalds  moved  into  a 
small  cottage  on  a  back  street.  The  blackness  of 
darkness  seemed  to  settle  over  the  little  family. 
How  changed  everything  was.  The  servants  were 
gone — all  except  Liza,  an  old  colored  maid,  whose 
love  was  so  great  that  she  refused  to  be  turned  away. 
Hester's  beautiful  songs  were  hushed,  and  no  one 
looked  now  for  pranks  from  Everett.    What  matter 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  15 

if  the  sky  was  blue,  if  the  birds  did  sing,  if  the  sun 
did  shine — all  was  closed  to  them  now. 

Only  Liza,  the  colored  servant,  did  not  despair. 
She  hummed  plantation  melodies  and  encouraged 
every  one  as  best  she  could.  She  took  an  especial 
delight  in  keeping  the  cottage  tasty,  and  gathered 
wild  flowers  for  the  table.  She  would  remain  awake 
way  into  the  night,  wondering  how  she  could  tease 
their  appetites.  She  was  especially  worried  about 
Hester.  Every  night  she  knelt  at  her  bed  and 
prayed  for  the  whole  family,  but  invariably  con- 
cluded her  prayer  by  saying:  "Good  Lord,  make 
Miss  Hester  eat."  But  Hester's  trouble  was  deeper 
than  the  good  servant  imagined.  Her  frail  system 
could  not  long  hold  up  under  such  a  strain.  She  was 
nervous.  She  was  sleepless.  She  was  feverish. 
The  family  physician  came  and  gave  her  a  tonic  and 
warned  her  that  unless  she  ceased  worrying  she 
would  be  down  with  nervous  prostration.  Liza 
heard  the  warning,  and  while  she  was  not  sure  what 
the  physician  meant  by  "nervous  prostration,"  she 
knew  it  must  be  something  "pow'ful  serious,"  and 
she  made  up  her  mind  to  do  something  extra  for 
Miss  Hester  in  the  cooking  line.  After  several  vain 
attempts  at  coaxing  Hester's  appetite,  and  seeing 
how  thin  and  pale  she  was  growing,  Liza  resolved  to 
change  her  tactics. 

One  afternoon  she  asked  Hester  if  she  would  like 
to  have  her  fortune  told.  Hester  answered  in  an 
absent-minded  way,  and  allowed  herself  to  be  led  to 
the  hammock  out  under  the  shade  of  the  trees.  Liza 
took  the  shapely  white  hand  in  hers  and  rubbed  it  as 
tenderly  and  lovingly  as  if  it  had  been  her  own 
child's.     Then  turning  it  over  she  began  to  look  at 


l6  TREASURES    ON    EARTH. 

the  creases.  "Was  you  ever  in  love,  honey?"  asked 
Liza. 

"Yes,  Liza  ;  I'm  in  love  now." 

The  answer  gave  Liza  such  a  shock  that  she 
seemed  to  have  trouble  in  framing  the  next  question. 
She  said  to  herself,  "Maby  that's  just  the  cause  of 
what  the  doctor  said — those  dreadful  big  words." 
But  when  Liza  did  collect  her  wits  she  overwhelmed 
Hester  with  questions.  "Well,  honey,  tell  yer  old 
Aunty  all  about  the  gemmen  you'se  in  love  with.  Is 
he  young  ?  I  s'pose  he's  rich  ?  Did  you  meet  him  at 
college  or  abroad?  Is  he  comin'  to  see  you  soon? 
Did  he  ever  write  you  any  letters?" 

Hester  did  not  smile.  Over  her  pale  features  came 
a  deep  earnestness,  and  her  eyes  grew  larger  and 
more  pathetic. 

"Yes,  Liza,  I'll  tell  you  all  about  him,  for  he  loves 
you,  too."  Liza  was  so  startled  at  the  statement  that 
she  could  not  utter  a  word. 

"Yes,  Liza,  I'll  tell  you  all.  He  is  a  young  man 
and  will  always  be  young.  He  is  not  bothered  about 
money.  He  has  enough  and  to  spare.  He  was  born 
in  a  very  humble  place,  but  the  place  of  birth  does 
not  determine  our  position  in  life.  I  am  glad  he  was 
humbly  born,  for  he  knows  how  to  sympathize  with 
every  class  and  condition.  He  thinks  more  of  truth 
than  he  does  of  wealth,  or  position,  or  honor.  He 
thinks  as  much  of  the  poor  as  he  does  of  the  rich,  for 
he  said  so — and  O,  I'm  so  glad  he  does,  for  if 
his  love  depended  on  riches,  he  would  forsake  me 
now." 

As  Hester  paused  a  moment  in  deep  reflection, 
Liza  said :  "How  long  have  you  known  him, 
honey  ?" 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATH1,ETE.  l^ 

"Don't  interrupt  me,  Liza ;  let  me  tell  you  all  in 
my  own  way.  I  knew  him  in  my  childhood.  He  has 
always  been  good  to  me,  but  never  so  good  as  since 
Papa  failed.    I  could  not  exist  without  him  now." 

"Let  me  send  him  some  of  my  cookies,"  said  the 
big-hearted  listener.  "I  wish  he  was  here  so  I  could 
tell  him  I  like  him,  too.  He's  kind  to  you,  and  I  like 
him.    But  go  on,  Miss  Hester." 

"Well,  the  other  night  I  was  so  discouraged,  so 
heart-broken,  and  so  lonely,  I  thought  I  would  read 
some  of  his  letters.  And,  Liza,  you  have  no  idea 
what  a  help  they  were  to  me.  I  had  read  them  be- 
fore, but  I  never  knew  he  had  said  so  much  to  me. 
I  just  cried  to  think  I  had  so  neglected  him.  But  I 
will  not  neglect  him  any  more.  I  got  down  on  my 
knees  and  told  him  I  wouldn't" — and  Hester  turned 
her  face  to  keep  Liza  from  seeing  the  big  tears  that 
were  rolling  silently  down  her  cheeks. 

"O,  Miss  Hester!"  said  Liza,  "you  must  never 
git  down  on  your  knees  to  any  man ;  don't  do  that 
any  more,  child.  Let  him  git  down  if  he  wants,  but 
Miss  Hester,  you  mustn't ;  no,  indeed.  You'se  fine 
enough  for  any  man  in  this  world  to  kneel  to.  But 
perhaps  you  did  treat  him  mean.  I  wish  I  could  meet 
him.    But  'scuse  me.  Miss  Hester  ;  go  on." 

"Well,"  continued  Hester,  "that  night  when  I 
went  to  sleep  I  dreamed  about  him." 

"  'Deed,  I  don't  wonder,  honey,  for  I  'spect  I  will 
too,  now  ;  but  go  on." 

"Well,  I  was  so  weary  and  tired,  and  he  came 
along  and  seemed  to  be  so  sorry  for  me  that  he  took 
me  with  him." 

"Jest  what  he  will  be  doing  some  of  these  days,  I 
'spect.     That's  the  way.     But  'taint  for  me  to  say 


l8  TREASURES    ON    EARTH. 

no,  'cause  you  need  some  one  to  be  good  to  you  and 
love  you;  'deed  you  do;  but  go  on." 

"Well,  he  took  me  in  his  beautiful  carriage  to  a 
great  ocean.  I  was  too  tired  to  get  out,  so  he  lifted 
me  in  his  arms  and  carried  me  aboard  the  ship.  The 
boat  weighed  anchor  and  we  started  out  across  the 
sea.  The  waves  seemed  to  grow  higher  and  higher. 
The  light  seemed  to  fade  away.  The  crested  foam 
dashed  over  us,  and  every  timber  in  the  ship  creaked 
and  groaned. 

"Wasn't  you  dreadfully  scared,  Miss  Hester?" 

"No,  Liza ;  he  stood  by  me  and  said  I  need  not 
be  afraid.  The  boat  rode  on.  I  finally  heard  the 
waves  breaking  upon  some  distant  shore.  Then,  as 
(the  darkness  and  storm  gradually  faded  into  day- 
light and  calm,  I  saw  a  home  on  the  distant  hills. 
Such  a  beautiful  mansion — I  wish  you  could  have 
seen  it.  Such  beautiful  jasper  walls,  great  gates  of 
pearl,  and  I  think  I  never  heard  such  sweet  singing." 

"Don't  he  need  a  servant?"  eagerly  asked  Liza. 
"I  wish  I  could  live  with  you.  Miss  Hester.  Does 
he  like  colored  folks?  Does  he  have  any  colored 
servants?    Do  you  'spose  he'd  like  me?" 

Even  Hester  seemed  to  forget  that  she  was  telling 
a  dream,  and  said :  "O,  Liza,  you  know  Papa, 
Mamma  and  Brother  Everett  need  you  now  more 
than  ever  before !  You  stay  with  them  a  little  while 
longer,  and,  if  you  are  real  kind  to  them,  he  has 
promised  to  give  you  a  place." 

"I'll  bake  a  fruit  cake  for  Mr.  Everett  every  time 
he  asks  me,  Miss  Hester ;  'deed  I  will,  honey,  and 
I'll  not  scold  him  any  more  if  he  takes  it  all;  no,  I 
won't.  Just  tell  me  what  to  do,  Miss  Hester,  and 
'deed  I'll  do  it." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  19 

"Well,  you  see,  Liza,  this  was  only  a  dream  about 
his  coming ;  but  really  and  truly  he  is  coming,  and 
I'm  anxious  to  go.  Do  not  repeat  our  conversation. 
Just  be  good,  Liza,  and  everything  will  come  out  all 
right.  You  can  go  into  the  house,  Liza,  and  prepare 
the  evening  meal.    I  will  wait  here." 

As  Liza  rose  to  go,  she  said :  "Miss  Hester,  can't 
I  go  and  tell  the  man  you  love  to  come  and  see  you  ? 
You  look  dreadful  bad.  I's  been  praying  for  you, 
but  'deed  I  don't  know,  you  look  mighty  poorly. 
Can't  I  go  for  him?" 

Hester  smiled  faintly,  shook  her  head  and  closed 
her  eyes.  Liza  hurried  into  the  house  and  soon  had 
a  very  tempting  meal  prepared,  but  she  noticed  sadly 
that  Hester  minced  at  the  food  and  really  ate  noth- 
ing. 

As  the  days  and  weeks  went  by,  Hester  grew  thin- 
ner and  paler  and  weaker.  The  great  strain  was 
too  much  for  her,  and  she  became  a  hopeless  wreck 
with  nervous  prostration.  O,  the  days  and  nights 
of  waiting  and  watching  at  her  bedside.  Finally  the 
old  family  physician  shook  his  head  and  said  he  had 
done  all  for  her  that  he  possibly  could  do.  With 
blanched  faces  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDonald  and  Everett 
questioned  him  eagerly,  but  he  shook  his  head. 
"Her  case  is  serious,  and  I'd  advise  you  to  be  pre- 
pared for  any  emergency.  I'll  do  all  in  my  power, 
but  I'm  afraid  she  is  beyond  human  help.  I  told  her 
so,  but  she  only  smiled." 

Who  can  describe  the  deep  grief  that  came  with 
that  warning?  Who  felt  able  to  go  into  that  room 
with  a  cheerful  face?  Could  they  keep  back  their 
sobs?  No.  And  what  a  relief  to  their  burdened 
hearts  that  they  did  not.     They  thought  that  they 


20  TREASURES    ON    EARTH. 

had  lost  all  when  they  lost  their  fortune.  The  world 
seemed  to  be  cold  and  cheerless  then,  but  now  they 
realized  that  there  could  be  a  greater  loss  than  that 
of  money.  They  knew  now  that  they  could  be  happy 
in  the  humblest  log  cabin  if  Hester  could  only  be 
spared  to  them.  With  hearts  as  brave  as  they  could 
possess,  they  watched  at  her  bedside.  Hester  ral- 
lied for  a  few  moments  and  knew  each  one  of  them. 
"The  physician  has  told  me  I  cannot  stay  here.  But 
don't  grieve  for  me,  for  really,  I  want  to  go."  The 
failing  consciousness  and  drooping  lids  told  too 
plainly  that  her  wish  was  soon  to  be  granted.  What 
wonder  that  she  smiled,  even  in  that  crucial  hour! 
What  wonder  that  she  was  anxious  to  go !  In  that 
hour  the  Man  whom  she  loved,  of  whom  she  had 
spoken  to  Liza,  came  into  the  darkened  room  and 
took  her  tired  hand  in  His.  The  hand  that  held  hers 
now  was  not  the  kind  hand  of  the  colored  servant, 
but  it  was  a  hand  that  had  in  it  the  nail  prints.  In 
His  side  was  the  mark  of  the  spear.  On  His  head 
was  a  crown  of  thorns.  In  the  last  rays  of  that 
summer's  sunset  He  gathered  her  in  His  arms  and 
carried  her  down  through  the  valley  that  was  no 
longer  troubled,  up  the  heights  that  were  no  longer 
steep,  and  gave  her  a  home  in  that  city  of  her 
dreams. 

That  night  Liza  told  the  grief-stricken  family 
about  her  conversation  with  Hester,  and  all  about 
the  man  she  loved.  The  great  truth  came  over  them 
all.  They  found  her  Bible,  worn  and  stained  with 
tears,  for  she  had  indeed  found  consolation  in  the 
letters  He  had  caused  to  be  written  to  her.  As  they 
sat  there  and  talked  of  Hester's  dreams  their  hearts 
burned  strangely  within  them,  for  He  who  walked 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  21 

with  the  disciples  on  the  way  to  Emmaeus  was  also 
with  them. 

They  had  confessed  Christ,  they  belonged  to  His 
church,  yet  how  they  had  forgotten  Him  in  their 
hour  of  trouble  until  that  moment.  That  night  they 
thought  not  about  earthly  possessions,  or  the  opin- 
ions of  men,  but  opened  the  Book  that  had  shed 
such  light  upon  Hester's  pathway  and  found  the 
deep  consolation  of  Christ. 


CHAPTER  II. 


A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 


"A  friend  loveth  at  all  times." 

Mr,  McDonald  swung,  pendulum-like,  from  one 
extreme  to  the  other.  Yesterday  his  thoughts  had 
been  centered  in  his  own  interests.  Today  he  was 
at  the  other  extreme,  and  thought  only  of  how  long 
he  would  be  compelled  to  wait  until  he  could  join 
Hester.  While  he  thus  stood  heavenward  gazing, 
he  was  recalled  to  earthward  watching  by  the  daily 
paper  with  its  news.  The  Savings  Bank  had  opened, 
and  all  the  old  officers  were  back  in  their  places  ex- 
cept Mr.  McDonald.  A  new  president  had  been 
selected.  Of  course,  Mr.  McDonald  knew  of  the 
change,  but  somehow  when  it  appeared  in  print  it 
seemed  more  cold  and  cruel.  There  was  no  mention 
of  the  sacrifice  he  had  made  to  pay  every  dollar. 
Also  all  his  old  friends  and  associates  treated  him  in 
such  a  manner  that  he  was  anxious  to  avoid  them. 
Some  kept  at  a  distance  from  him,  while  others  who 
did  meet  him  simply  expressed  their  regret.  Not 
one  said,  "I  believe  in  your  honesty  and  know  you 
will  yet  be  vindicated." 

Not  one  ?  Yes,  one ;  for  in  all  the  dark  hours 
one  man  had  never  forsaken  the  McDonalds;  one 
man  had  never  believed  the  rumors  of  speculation 

22 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI,BTK.  23 

and  gambling; ;  one  man  was  more  often  at  the  cot- 
tage than  he  had  been  at  the  mansion.  Rev.  Horace 
Carter,  the  Presbyterian  minister,  still  firmly  be- 
lieved in  Mr.  McDonald's  integrity  and  stood  by 
the  family.  He  insisted  that  the  family  come  to 
church  and  occupy  their  old  pew.  He  had  never 
prayed  nor  asked  to  pray  in  the  mansion,  but  now, 
without  asking,  he  knelt  down  in  the  cottage.  In 
his  pulpit  he  prayed  as  a  minister  and  preached  as  a 
prophet.  Often  people  thought  him  cold  and  with- 
out sympathy,  but  in  that  cottage  he  was  a  tender 
shepherd.  He  gathered  that  family  in  his  arms,  and 
clasping  them  to  his  bosom,  he  carried  them  to  the 
throne  of  grace.  On  one  of  these  visits,  when  he 
was  praying,  with  the  tears  streaming  down  his 
cheeks,  Mrs.  McDonald  felt  herself  being  carried  up 
to  the  very  gates  of  heaven  and  opened  her  eyes 
thinking  she  might  see  Hester's  bright,  radiant  face. 
After  one  of  these  seasons  of  prayer  the  family 
promised  to  come  back  to  church ;  to  come  back  and 
occupy  their  old  pew.  They  had  some  misgivings 
as  they  promised  and  yet  they  knew  it  was  their 
duty.  As  Rev.  Mr.  Carter  left  he  shook  them 
warmly  by  the  hand  and  said  that  he  expected  to 
have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  them  next  Sunday  morn- 
ing. 

Sunday  came,  bright  and  beautiful.  Liza,  the 
colored  servant,  was  as  pleased  as  the  minister  to 
think  "her  family,"  as  she  called  them,  "was  go- 
ing to  meetin'."  She  was  up  early  and  called  them 
in  plenty  of  time  to  get  ready.  "Getting  ready" 
that  morning  was  very  different  from  their  "get- 
ting ready"  in  the  past.  They  shined  their  own 
shoes  and  brushed  their  own  clothes.     Then  when 


24  A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 

they  zvere  ready  there  was  no  carriage  waiting  for 
them  without.  Greatest  difference  of  all,  one  face 
was  absent.  As  they  stepped  out  upon  the  street 
each  one  had  a  feeling  of  regret  and  hesitation. 
But  their  promise  had  been  given  and  they  would 
go  to  church.  It  was  a  "clear  bracing  day,  mel- 
low with  the  richness  of  autumn."  They  went 
early  to  avoid  meeting  many  people  and  the  sur- 
prised  usher   led   them   to   their   old   pew. 

Most  of  the  members  were  astonished  as  they 
looked  over  the  church  and  saw  the  ex-bank 
president  with  his  wife  and  son  in  the  familiar 
place.  How  dared  they  have  the  audacity  to  come 
into  the  church  since  Elder  McDonald  had  been 
disgraced  before  the  whole  world !  Didn't  every 
paper  mention  the  fact  that  he  was  an  Elder  in  their 
church,  and  comment  upon  it?  The  other  denom- 
inations had  not  said  anything  about  it,  but  any 
one  must  know  that  they  were  inwardly  chuckling 
over  the  cloud  that  had  settled  over  the  church 
as  the  result  of  Mr.  McDonald's  gambling.  Then 
tomorrow  the  papers  would  be  full  of  gossip  about 
the  McDonalds  being  in  their  old  pew,  that  the 
church  stood  by  him  and  thus  proclaimed  to  the 
world  that  they  believed  in  having  a  gambler  as  an 
elder. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Carter  saw  the  unusual  under- 
current of  excitement  and  conversation  and  guessed 
it  all.  A  silent  petition  was  going  up  to  the  loving 
Heavenly  Father  for  greater  power,  for  clearer  in- 
sight, for  more  effective  utterance. 

The  quartet  must  have  been  inspired  by  Dr.  Car- 
ter's silent  supplications,  for  they  seemed  to  sing 
better  than  ever  before.     As  they  called   in   song 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  25 

"Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates,  and  be  ye  lift 
up,  ye  everlasting  doors,"  it  did  really  seem  as  if 
the  portals  were  swinging  open  and  "the  King  of 
Glory"  was  coming  in.  Surely  the  "King  of  Glory" 
would  be  pleased  to  come  into  that  magnificently 
equipped  church  with  that  waiting  congregation. 
Then  when  Dr.  Carter  prayed  he  seemed  to  clasp 
hands  with  the  "King  of  Glory"  and  stand  within 
the  veil.  How  it  seemed  to  humble  him  as  with  the 
eye  of  faith  he  looked  into  the  heavenly  city  and 
saw  the  King  in  all  his  beauty  and  power.  He 
saw  the  angels,  the  swift  messengers  of  God,  always 
ready  for  service.  There,  too,  he  heard  music 
sweeter  than  that  ever  lisped  by  mortal  tongue, 
and  all  had  forgotten  themselves  in  praising  the 
Lamb  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne.  When  he  looked 
at  earth  and  saw  what  ruin  sin  had  wrought,  when 
he  thought  of  the  discordant  tones  of  all  earthly 
singing,  when  he  thought  of  the  limitations  of 
human  wisdom,  when  he  saw  the  sinfulness  and 
heartlessness  of  humanity,  then  it  was  that  he  took 
a  firm  hold  upon  the  divine  promises  for  help,  then  it 
was  that  he  was  ready  to  pray  for  Christ's  Kingdom 
to  be  on  earth  as  it  was  in  heaven.  When  the  prayer 
was  concluded  many  worshipers  wiped  tears  from 
their  eyes.  Even  the  transient  drummer  who  had 
come  in  to  hear  the  excellent  singing,  straightened 
up  and  swallowed  two  or  three  times  to  get  back 
to  normal.  After  the  congregation  had  joined 
heartily  in  singing,  "What  a  Friend  We  Have  in 
Jesus"  the  minister  announced  his  text  from  Gala- 
tians,  the  sixth  chapter  and  tenth  verse.  As  he 
spoke  of  the  text,  of  Christians,  of  Christians  using 
opportunity  to  do  good  the  people  forgot  the  manu- 


26  A    FRIEND    IN    NEKD. 

script  and  saw  a  fearless  apostle  inspired  with  a 
message.  He  saw  that  the  audience  was  deeply 
moved,  but  he  was  especially  anxious  to  put  driv- 
ing power  behind  their  emotions  as  he  spoke  of 
the  Christian's  especial  duty  to  them  that  are  of  the 
household  of  faith. 

But  it  would  be  impossible  to  reproduce  the  ser- 
mon. To  do  so  would  require  the  presence  of  the 
man  with  his  godly  face,  his  flashing  eye,  his  firm- 
set  lip,  his  uplifted  arm,  and  his  effectual  fervent 
prayer  in  closing. 

When  the  service  was  over,  the  McDonalds  tar- 
ried a  few  minutes  until  the  people  were  well  out 
of  the  church.  A  few  friends  came  forward  to 
greet  them,  but  many  shunned  them. 

One  man  who  sat  in  one  of  the  back  pews  was 
relieved  when  the  benediction  was  pronounced.  He 
had  had  no  idea  that  Mr.  McDonald  would  come 
back  to  the  church,  and  when  he  saw  him  there 
he  was  restless,  uneasy,  irritated.  What  a  differ- 
ence in  the  position  the  two  men  held  before  that 
audience !  Mr.  McDonald,  poor,  despised,  for- 
saken, yet  with  God's  help  ready  to  face  a  frown- 
ing world.  Mr.  Tupper,  the  new  bank  president, 
with  plenty,  courted  by  all,  every  avenue  in  society 
open  to  him,  yet  restless,  uneasy  and  fearful  to  face 
a  smiling  world. 

Although  the  morning  service  had  been  such  a 
helpful  one,  the  McDonalds  were  greatly  relieved 
as  they  hurried  out  of  the  church  and  then  saun- 
tered leisurely  down  the  shaded  streets  to  their 
quiet  little  home.  "That  was  a  fine  sermon,"  said 
Everett,  "but  I  believe  I  could  have  enjoyed  myself 
better  some  other  place." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI^ETE.  27 

"I'm  sure  I  could  not  have  been  helped  as  much 
any  other  place/'  said  the  mother. 

"Well,"  said  Mr.  McDonald,  "I  did  not  feel  quite 
like  I  used  to,  but  still  that  is  our  church  home.  I 
have  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of,  and  don't  feel  like 
dodging  around  to  some  little  obscure  church  as 
though  I  was  a  culprit.  Besides,  when  we  are  in 
trouble  we  want  to  hear  a  minister  who  knows  our 
trials  and  can  sympathize  with  us." 

"You  are  right,  father,  but  I  felt  that  Dr.  Carter 
was  the  only  one  who  really  wanted  us  present. 
The  people  who  spoke  to  us  seemed  to  do  so  from 
a  sense  of  duty." 

Everett  was  not  far  wrong  in  his  judgment.  In 
the  vestry  of  the  old  Presbyterian  church  there 
was  an  unusual  stir  and  excitement.  Fifteen  mem- 
bers had  signed  a  petition  for  a  church  meeting. 
They  were  determined  not  to  be  disgraced  by  a 
gambling  elder. 

Dr.  Carter  saw  that  it  was  useless  to  argue  with 
them  in  their  blind  excitement.  He  decided  to  have 
the  meeting  on  Monday  night.  He  then  hurried  to 
the  newspaper  offices,  told  them  frankly  about  the 
matter,  and  asked  them  to  suppress  any  account 
of  the  church  trouble.  Each  editor  promised  to 
grant  his  request,  and  Dr.  Carter  had  won  his  first 
victory. 

Then  the  second  struggle  came  in  the  afternoon 
as  he  walked  to  and  fro  in  his  study.  He  had  served 
his  people  faithfully  for  twenty  years.  He  had  helped 
to  build  up  the  membership  and  had  been  instru- 
mental in  removing  all  debt  from  their  magnificent 
new  house  of  worship.  What  was  it  all  for?  Was 
the  church  not  built  to  carry  out  Christ's  plan  to 


28  A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 

help  those  who  needed  help?  Had  the  work  of  all 
these  years  been  given  to  establish  an  impetuous, 
ungrateful,  unsympathetic  church?  Should  he  re- 
sign and  seek  another  field  ?  In  anguish  and  prayer 
he  debated  the  question  until  the  deep  shadows  be- 
gan to  gather  and  reminded  him  of  the  evening  ser- 
vice. Kneeling  down  in  the  quiet  of  his  study,  he 
prayed  again  for  guidance.  He  heard  as  clearly  as 
if  a  voice  were  speaking  to  him:  "Thou  man  of 
God,  this  battle  is  the  Lord's.  Go  forth  in  his 
name.     Do  not  flinch  and  fly  in  the  day  of  battle." 

He  arrived  at  the  church  a  few  minutes  late. 
He  went  through  the  entire  service  in  an  absent- 
minded  way,  and  seemed  glad  when  announcing 
the  closing  hymn.  As  he  was  leaving  the  church 
one  of  the  members  noticed  his  pale  face  and  asked, 
"Are  you  sick,  Doctor  Carter?    You  look  so  pale." 

"I'm  not  very  sick.  A  pain  in  my  heart.  That's 
all." 

The  next  day  many  people  called  at  the  manse, 
but  to  every  one  the  servant  said  courteously: 
"This  is  not  Dr.  Carter's  day  at  home." 

In  the  evening  almost  the  entire  membership  had 
gathered  in  the  vestry  of  the  Bethany  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  assistant  pastor  was  in  the  chair  as 
moderator  and  offered  prayer.  He  then  asked  Mr. 
Herbert,  who  had  circulated  the  petition  for  the 
meeting,  to  state  the  object.  Mr.  Herbert  was  ont. 
of  those  impetuous,  well-meaning  men  who  want 
to  go  with  the  crowd  and  are  always  ready  to  ac- 
cept other  people's  opinions.  Many  in  the  congre- 
gation were  anxious  to  get  rid  of  Elder  McDonald ; 
yet  they  wisely  selected  a  cat's  paw  to  do  the  work. 
Mr.  Herbert  felt  greatly  elated  because  he  had  been 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLKTB-  29 

chosen  to  lead  in  the  movement  against  an  offend- 
ing brother  "Mr.  Moderator,"  he  began,  "the  call 
for  this  meeting  has  been  signed  by  others,  but  I 
will  speak  briefly  on  the  subject.  I  have  been  a 
member  of  this  church  for  many  years,  and  have 
always  been  proud  of  the  fact." 

The  moderator,  who  was  of  a  very  practical  turn 
of  mind,  said:  "Mr.  Herbert,  we  all  grant  what 
you  are  saying;  suppose  you  state  at  once  the  ob- 
ject of  this  call,  and  then  we  can  discuss  the  issue 
more  intelligently." 

"Well,  Mr.  Moderator,  I  will  state  the  question 
in  a  moment."  He  knew  that  it  was  a  serious  mat- 
ter and  then,  too,  he  felt  a  little  uneasy  as  he  en- 
countered the  gaze  of  Rev.  Dr.  Carter,  whose  wish 
had  not  been  considered  in  the  movement.  "Well," 
he  continued,  "as  I  said  before,  we  want  to  guard 
the  good  name  of  our  church.  One  of  our  mem- 
bers, Elder  McDonald,  has  been  displaced  from  his 
position  in  the  bank,  and  everybody  understands 
that  it  was  because  of  speculation.  Our  church  has 
always  been  respectable,  and  we  do  not  want  to  be 
looked  upon  as  a  people  ready  to  wink  at  acts  of 
dishonesty.  For  our  self-respect,  for  the  good  name 
of  the  church,  for  the  cause  of  righteousness,  we 
should  take  such  action  as  will  place  us  in  the  right 
attitude  with  the  public." 

Before  a  motion  could  be  made  in  regard  to  the 
matter,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carter  stood  up.  Mr.  Her- 
bert quickly  sat  down  when  the  pastor  arose.  As 
the  pastor  stood  there,  he  seemed  to  be  struggling 
with  himself  and  endeavoring  to  be  calm.  Finally, 
in  a  quiet,  firm  voice,  he  said :  "Mr.  Moderator,  I 
would  like  the  privilege  of  asking  a  few  questions." 


30  A     KRIKND    IN    NKED. 

"Certainly,"  replied  the  moderator;  "proceed." 
The  proceeding  was  just  the  thing  that  the  indig- 
nant signers  of  the  petition  did  not  relish. 

"First,"  said  the  minister,  "I  understand,  from 
the  reading  of  the  petition,  who  signed  it.  I  am 
not  going  to  conclude  that  they  are  the  only  ones 
who  desired  the  meeting."  This  general  statement 
relieved  the  tension  a  little,  because  the  signers 
were  not  anxious  for  battle  at  short  range  with  the 
pastor.  "But,"  he  continued,  "did  any  one  who 
signed  the  petition  or  any  one  who  desired  the  meet- 
ing talk  with  the  pastor  before  circulating  the  pe- 
tition?" 

In  the  awkward  pause,  one  of  the  ladies  who 
signed  the  petition  said:  "Well,  Dr.  Carter,  the 
case  seemed  to  require  action  at  once,  and  really 
the  thought  didn't  occur  to  me."  The  others  re- 
mained silent. 

"Well,  Mr.  Moderator,  I  want  to  ask  another 
question  or  two.  Was  Elder  McDonald  given  to 
imderstand  that  such  a  meeting  was  to  be  called?" 

After  a  long  pause,  which  grew  more  embarrass- 
ing with  each  tick  of  the  clock,  Mr.  Herbert,  some- 
what red  in  the  face,  said:  "No,  we  did  not  con- 
sider that  necessary." 

"Well,"  said  the  minister,  "suppose  I  ask  another 
question,  Mr.  Moderator.  Have  the  people  who  de- 
sired this  meeting  any  proof  of  the  charge  they  do 
not  specifically  make,  that  Elder  McDonald  did 
lose  his  money  through  gambling?  And,  further, 
have  they  any  evidence  that  a  single  person  has 
been  defrauded  by  any  of  his  transactions?" 

Another  lady  could  not  remain  silent  longer,  and 
said:     "Well,  Dr.  Carter,  if  you  could  hear  what 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI^ETE.  3^ 

the  people  say  about  Elder  McDonald,  you  would 
sign  a  petition  too,  I  think.  And,  besides,  our  next 
door  neighbor  says  he  will  never  unite  with  our 
church  so  long  as  we  tolerate  Mr.  McDonald."  As 
she  sat  down,  the  aged  minister,  who  was  worship- 
ing with  the  church,  feebly  stood  up.  He  had  been 
taking  an  evening  walk,  and  noticing  the  lights, 
went  into  the  meeting  without  guessing  the  object. 
He  heard  with  difficulty.  Finally  he  concluded  it 
was  time  for  his  aged  advice,  and  he  gave  it. 
"Brothers  and  sisters,  I  have  been  listening  to  these 
speeches,  and  if  you  are  talking  about  revising  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  I'd  advise  you  to  go  slow." 
The  moderator  tried  to  stop  him,  but  he  continued : 
"I  know  you  think  I  am  old-fashioned,  but  the  old 
confession  is  good  enough  for  me.  If  the  good 
sister  who  has  just  spoken  is  afraid  her  neighbor 
will  not  come  until  there  is  a  revision,  he  had  bet- 
ter stay  away." 

Several  smiled  at  the  old  man's  mistake,  but  Dr. 
Carter  stood  there  as  unmoved  as  if  he  had  been 
carved  out  of  marble.  He  asked  if  any  one  else 
wanted  to  answer  his  questions.     No  one  moved. 

"Then,  Mr.  Moderator,  I  have  a  few  words  on 
this  subject  for  which  I  beg  your  indulgence.  In 
all  my  ministry,  this  is  the  first  time  a  meeting  has 
been  called  without  consulting  my  wishes.  While 
I  am  deeply  pained  by  such  action,  I  shall  cherish 
no  ill  feeling  toward  any  one,  for  I  believe  you  were 
moved  by  impulse  to  right  what  you  thought  a 
wrong.  In  your  calmer  moments  I  am  confident 
you  would  first  have  talked  with  me  about  the  sit- 
uation. 

"I  have  been  pastor  of  this  church  for  twenty 


32  A    FRIRND    IN    NEED. 

years,  and  you  have  had  my  undivided  effort.  1 
have  refused  calls  to  larger  fields,  as  you  well  know. 
This  I  did  because  I  loved  each  one  of  you  as  if  you 
had  been  my  own  children. 

"I  have  rejoiced  with  you  in  your  joy,  and  wepl 
with  you  in  your  sorrow.  I  have  seen  children 
grow  into  young  manhood,  young  manhood  into 
old  age,  and  old  age  crowned  in  the  hour  of  trans- 
lation. Is  this  church  any  dearer  to  your  heart 
than  mine?  Could  her  interests  be  more  jealously 
guarded  by  you  than  by  me?  This  church  is  a 
part  of  my  life,  and  as  God's  minister  I  will 
defend  her.  But  why  does  this  church  mean  so 
much  to  me?  Is  it  because  we  have  one  of  the 
choicest  locations  in  the  city  ?  Is  it  because  we  have 
such  a  beautiful  and  costly  structure?  Is  it  because 
we  have  such  a  large  and  respectable  membership? 
Such  things  may  be  desirable,  but  God  forbid  that 
I  should  be  a  mmister  of  the  gospel  and  seek  those 
things  as  an  end.  No,  a  thousand  times,  no !  We  art 
not  here  simply  to  have  a  congenial  society,  a  splen- 
did choir,  a  polished  sermon,  a  beautiful  edifice. 
These  are  but  the  forms  and  the  trappings  of  powei, 
/  'T  our  equipment  passes  as  useless  unless  God's 
power  works  in  and  through  these.  I  believe  in 
doing  good  unto  all  men  as  we  have  opportunity, 
and  I  also  believe  that  especially  we  are  to  do  good 
to  them  that  are  of  the  household  of  faith.  When 
did  Christ  call  men  his  sons?  When  they  were  in 
prosperity  and  were  well  spoken  of?  He  called 
every  one  a  son  who  believed  on  him,  and  then  said, 
'inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least 
of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me.'  I  insist,  in  our 
clearest  revelation,  that  in  dealing  with  Elder  Mc- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI^ETE.  33 

Donald  we  are  dealing  with  Christ.  Shall  we  con- 
demn Pilate  and  Herod,  and  the  Roman  soldiery 
and  the  blinded  Jews  for  crucifying  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  then  turn  upon  one  of  his  acknowledged 
followers  and  condemn  him  without  a  hearing; 
without  even  so  much  of  a  trial  as  our  Savior  had? 
Have  I  been  commissioned  in  Christ's  stead  to  shep- 
herd this  flock  and  then  desert  a  fallen  sheep  be- 
cause the  cry  of  wolf  is  heard?  Am  I  a  coward  to 
flinch  and  fly  when  danger  is  threatening  the  fold? 
What  do  I  care  what  the  world  may  say  of  my 
sheep?  'They  are  my  sheep,'  says  the  Master  of 
us  all.  Let  adversity  overtake  any  one  in  this  pres- 
ence, and  you  will  find  me  by  your  side.  Let  pub- 
lic sentiment  condemn  without  judgment  or  wit- 
nesses, and  my  voice  shall  not  be  silenced.  Let  the 
people  hurl  their  anathemas,  let  them  scorn,  and 
curse,  and  ridicule ;  let  them  attempt  to  take  by 
force,  but  they  shall  not  have  one  from  my  fold. 

"Who  is  the  one  against  whom  the  wrath  of  the 
church  is  directed?  Is  he  one  who  has  been  at  open 
enmity  to  our  interests  in  the  past?  Has  his  means 
been  used  on  the  side  of  our  foe?  Has  he  taken 
one  cent  from  the  poor,  or  ever  been  found  enjoy- 
ing the  company  of  the  sinner  ?  No ;  the  man  is 
our  brother  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  has  been  identified 
with  every  interest  of  this  church.  He  has  always 
been  ready  with  his  means  and  personal  worth  to 
advance  our  cause.  In  his  prosperity  every  one  was 
glad  for  his  presence  and  thankful  for  his  support. 
Now  a  reverse  has  come  into  his  life,  and  suddenly 
a  fortune  is  swept  from  his  hands.  Along  with  the 
loss  of  wealth  and  position  has  come  the  heavier 
loss  of  his  sainted  daughter.    In  addition  to  all  this 


34  A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 

is  the  rumor  of  dishonest  speculation.  Not  one 
word  of  proof  has  been  offered  of  his  guilt.  Is  the 
mission  of  this  church  to  stand  by  people  in  pros- 
perity and  desert  them  in  adversity?  Even  if  our 
brother  were  guilty  of  unjust  and  unwise  specula- 
tion, should  we  desert  him?  Should  we  leave  him 
to  be  entirely  destroyed  by  the  enemy  ?  Never ! 
Never!!  Never!!!  If  Christ,  the  great  Master  of 
us  all,  could  endure  the  scorn  of  men,  the  agonies 
of  Gethsemane  and  the  suffering  of  the  cross  for 
sinners,  surely  we  ought  to  be  able  to  endure  hard- 
ness as  good  soldiers  in  protecting  one  who  is  a 
Christian.  Our  swords  may  be  hacked  and  twisted, 
our  armor  may  be  covered  with  scars,  there  may 
come  blood  upon  our  garments,  but  I  beseech  you 
to  stand  with  the  Master  in  caring  for  the  sheep  of 
this  fold." 

The  eloquent  divine  broke  down  and  sobbed  like 
a  child,  and  many  sobbed  with  him.  In  the 
awkward  pause  one  of  those  who  had  signed  the 
call  started  and  all  joined  in  the  song: 

Blest  be   the   tie   that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love; 

The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 
Is  like  to  that  above. 

Dr.  Carter  lifted  his  arms,  pronounced  the  ben- 
ediction.   He  had  won  his  greatest  victory. 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE  STRUGGLE  FOR  WISDOM. 


"Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing ;  therefore  get  wisdom : 
and  with  all  thy  getting,  get  understanding." 

The  days  of  summer  were  slipping  rapidly  by, 
and  the  leaves  were  turning  a  golden  brown.  On 
one  of  these  delightful  autumn  afternoons  a  fine- 
looking  gentleman  called  at  the  McDonald  cottage. 
It  was  Dr.  Habsdorf,  president  of  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan  University.  Dr.  Carter  had  been  in  corre- 
spondence with  President  Habsdorf  in  regard  to 
Everett.  The  president  knew  Everett  had  refused 
to  accept  money  from  Dr.  Carter  with  which  to 
finish  his  course  at  the  university.  He  had  sug- 
gested to  the  president  that  Everett  might  be  per- 
suaded to  return  if  an  opportunity  was  given  for 
paying  his  own  way.  Everett  answered  the  knock 
at  the  door,  and  received  one  of  his  greatest  sur- 
prises. "Well,  President  Habsdorf !  I  am  glad  to 
see  you.  Come  in.  How  did  you  find  us  away  out 
here?  Just  be  seated  and  I  will  call  father  and 
mother." 

Everett  hurried  out  into  the  arbor  to  find  his  par- 
ents, but  they  had  gone  out  for  a  walk.  Return- 
ing, he  said:     "I  am  real  sorry,  but  father  and 

35 


36  THE    STRUGGLE    FOR    WISDOM, 

mother  have  gone  out  walking.  They  will  return 
soon."  • 

"Very  well,"  said  the  president,  deeplv  gratified, 
as  he  was  anxious  to  have  a  confidential  talk  with 
Everett.  "Everett,  Mrs.  Habsdorf  and  I  have 
thought  of  you  frequently.  We  are  deeply  inter- 
ested in  you,  and  are  anxious  to  have  you  return 
and  finish  your  course  in  the  university." 

"I  would  like  to  return.  I  have  often  thought 
of  the  old  university,  and  of  you,  but  I  never 
dreamed  you  thought  of  me.  Yes,  I  would  like 
to  return,  but  we  have  lost  everything.  I  presume 
you  know  about  our  misfortune.  No,  I  can't  go 
back  this  fall." 

"If  it  is  simply  a  matter  of  money,  Everett,  I 
think  that  can  be  arranged  satisfactorily." 

"Yes,  it  is  largely  a  question  of  money,  but  I 
will  not  borrow,  because  there  is  no  immediate  pros- 
pect of  repaying  -a  loan.  I  could  not  accept  a  gift 
because  I  am  not  ready  yet  to  be  an  object  of 
charity." 

"I'm  glad  to  hear  you  talk  that  way,  although  I 
would  not  hesitate  to  accept  a  loan  to  finish  the  last 
year  of  university  work.  But  I'm  not  going  to 
ofifer  a  loan.  My  proposition  is  a  different  one.  As 
you  know,  Mrs.  Habsdorf  and  I  have  no  children. 
We  have  a  large  house.  We  need  some  one  to  take 
care  of  the  furnaces.  If  you  are  willing  to  do  such 
work,  we  will  give  you  two  rooms  on  the  third 
floor,  and  also  a  scholarship  in  the  university.  You 
can  board  yourself  and  live  very  cheaply." 

"I  like  the  proposition,"  said  Everett.  "I'm  not 
afraid  of  work;  think  I  would  enjoy  it.  But  I 
must  talk  the  matter  over  with  father  and  mother." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  37 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDonald  came  home  about  tea 
time,  and  found  Everett  all  excitement.  They  were 
as  much  surprised  to  see  President  Habsdorf  as 
Everett  had  been.  The  president  accepted  the  invi- 
tation to  dine  with  them.  At  the  table  Everett  ex- 
plained Dr.  Habsdorf's  mission,  and  for  more  than 
an  hour  the  proposition  was  discussed  over  the  tea- 
cups. 

Before  President  Habsdorf  left  it  was  decided 
that  Everett  should  return  and  finish  his  work. 
The  college  town  had  an  unusual  charm,  and 
Everett  said  he  felt  sure  the  old  sulphur  spring 
would  be  to  him  the  fountain  of  perpetual  youth. 

As  Everett  was  to  board  himself,  Mrs.  McDon- 
ald and  Liza  the  next  day  began  to  make  jams  and 
jellies  for  Everett  to  take  with  him.  Everett  sat 
on  a  stool  watching  them.  His  face  grew  serious 
as  he  said :  ''Mother,  don't  you  think  you  will  be 
rather  lonesome  without  me?  I  want  to  go  back, 
but  still  I  do  not  fancy  leaving  you,  and  father  and 
Liza  too." 

"Of  course,  I  shall  miss  you,  my  son,  but  I  want 
you  to  go  back  and  finish  your  work.  A  good  edu- 
cation no  man  can  take  from  you — you  have  a  bank 
account  that  will  always  pay  good  interest.  Then, 
if  we  never  recover  our  fortune,  you  will  be  able 
to  care  for  us  when  we  are  old — won't  he,  Liza  ?" 

"Law  bless  you,  chile;  de  good  Lord's  gwine  to 
be  with  us.  'Sides  da's  no  use  grievin'  over  spilt 
milk.  I'se  seed  de  time  when  I  was  not  simply 
poor — I  was  a  slave.  I'se  seen  dark  days,  I  guess. 
Some  folks  'lowed  as  how  we'd  neber  be  free  like 
de  white  folks,  but  God  was  just  bidin  his  time. 
He  seed  us  down  da  in  de  cane  rows,  he  heard  de 


38  THE    STRUGGlvE    FOR    WISDOM. 

cry  of  his  children  and  he  called  up  Marse  Lincoln, 
jes  like  he  called  up  Moses,  and  we  marched 
through  anodder  sea — a  sea  of  blood.  And  I'se 
had  a  vision.  I  saw  some  scoundrels  tryin'  to  choke 
us.  Dey  robbed  us  and  done  left  us  for  sure  'nufif 
dead.  And  then  I  saw  a  man  with  a  sword  a  flam- 
in'  like  fire  drivin'  out  de  rascals  and  handin'  back 
de  money ;  and  I  declare  before  de  Lord  dat  de 
gemmin  looked  like  Everett.  No  use  lafifin,  chile; 
you'  ole  mammy's  had  a  sure  'nufif  vision.  I  saw 
Marse  John,  de  coachman,  de  odder  day,  and  done 
tole  him  we'se  gwine  back  to  de  mansion  some 
day." 

"Auntie,  you  are  all  right,"  said  Everett.  "You 
are  an  old  bundle  of  sunshine.  If  I  only  had  you 
to  do  my  cooking  in  the  college  town,  run  a  news- 
paper to  boom  me,  and  to  give  me  a  million,  I  guess 
I'd  have  'a  sure  'nuff  vision  too.'  " 

Liza  laughed  at  Everett's  fun  and  stirred  vigor- 
ously away  at  some  apple  butter.  It  had  been  many 
days  since  Mrs.  McDonald  had  put  up  any  fruit, 
and  yet  she  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  work.  She  was 
working  for  her  son,  and  her  unselfish  face  gleamed 
with  deep  satisfaction.  She  was  explaining  how 
to  open  the  fruit  cans  when  Mr.  AlcDonald  came 
in  and  asked  Everett  if  he  would  like  to  take  a 
walk.  The  suggestion  came  as  a  most  welcome  sur- 
prise, and  Everett  almost  ran  to  get  his  hat. 

As  father  and  son  passed  out  through  the  arbor 
arm   in  arm,  Liza  could  not  repress  her  feelings. 

"Everett  is  gwine  to  be  a  great  man,  he  is.  I'se 
had  a  vision,  I  has,  and  he's  gwine  to  take  us  back 
to  de  mansion.'  Mrs.  McDonald  said  she  was  not 
so  anxious  about  going  back  to  the  old  home.     She 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  39 

was  only  concerned  that  the  cause  of  the  bank  fail- 
ure be  properly  placed.  Thus  they  talked  on  in 
their  work. 

Mr.  McDonald  and  Everett  walked  leisurely 
away  from  the  rush  of  the  city  to  a  quiet  little  nook 
by  the  lake.  When  they  were  seated,  Mr.  McDon- 
ald began  to  tell  Everett  about  the  bank  failure. 
As  he  unfolded  what  he  knew  of  the  one  suspected, 
Everett's  face  grew  set  and  firm.  His  eyes  flashed 
and  the  nails  of  his  hands  were  pressed  deeply  into 
his  palms.  The  sweat  dropped  from  his  face,  and 
at  last  he  rose  from  his  seat  and  said  firmly :  "I 
must  expose  that  man,  father." 

"No,  no,  my  son.  Sit  down.  Keep  cool.  When 
you  have  lost  command  of  yourself  you  cannot 
command  others.  I  am  studying  the  situation  con- 
tinuously and  carefully,  and  I  feel  confident  that 
the  truth  will  be  known  in  due  time.  You  may  be 
needed  later  on.  Nor  is  there  urgent  need  now  of 
outside  help.  I  can  make  my  own  investigations, 
up  to  a  certain  point.  Besides,  I  must  use  carefully 
what  money  I  have  left.  Keep  your  own  counsel, 
tell  no  one  of  our  suspicions,  finish  your  work  at 
the  university,  and  we  will  come  out  all  right.  Do 
not  waste  your  time  nor  misuse  your  energy." 

"I  know%  father,  but  I  ought  not  to  go  back  to 
the  university  and  leave  you  alone  in  this  work." 

But  as  they  walked  slowly  homeward  Everett 
was  persuaded  that  it  was  his  duty  to  finish  his 
education.  He  tried  to  be  cheerful,  he  tried  to  act 
as  though  no  great  burden  was  on  his  heart,  but  he 
was  eternally  changed.  His  eyes  gleamed  with  a 
new  purpose.  His  lips  became  firm  set  with  deter- 
mination.    He  seemed  to  have  grown  taller,  and 


40  THB    STRUGGI^E    FOR    WISDOM. 

his  shoulders  broadened.  That  evening  as  he 
came  to  the  table  he  gripped  the  chair  as  if  he  were 
strangling  a  serpent.  After  supper  he  slipped  out 
to  the  book  store  and  purchased  a  second-hand 
book. 

A  few  days  later  he  was  up  bright  and  early  get- 
ting ready  to  go  back  to  college.  He  did  not  wait, 
as  was  his  wont,  for  his  mother  to  pack  his  trunk. 
He  packed  everything  himself.  He  did  not  wait 
for  his  father  and  mother  to  caution  him  about  tak- 
ing care  of  himself;  he  cautioned  them.  When  he 
went  to  shake  hands  good-bye  with  Liza,  he  uncon- 
sciously took  such  a  firm  grip  that  the  old  servant 
declared  "he  had  done  smashed  every  bone  in  her 
body."  With  his  parents  he  walked  to  the  Big 
Four  Depot.  Mrs.  McDonald  had  to  rub  her  eyes 
several  times  to  see  if  it  was  really  Everett  who 
was  talking  so  much  like  a  man.  There  were  many 
things  she  expected  to  say  to  him,  but  felt  such 
things  useless  in  his  manly  presence.  He  boarded 
the  train  and  stood  looking  back  until  his  parents 
shrank  to  a  speck.  Then  he  went  into  the  car  and 
unwrapped  his  bundle.  The  bundle  consisted  of 
two  books — one  his  sister  Hester's  Bible,  and  the 
other  the  second-hand  book  he  had  purchased — a 
copy  of  Blackstone.  Rewrapping  the  precious 
Bible,  he  was  soon  lost  in  Blackstone.  He  had 
fondly  hoped  to  enter  an  eastern  law  school  after 
finishing  his  university  course,  but  the  plan  was 
now  abandoned.  Yet,  after  the  conversation  with 
his  father,  he  resolved  to  spend  his  odd  moments 
on  Blackstone,  not  that  he  now  expected  to  be  a 
lawyer,  but  he  wanted  to  have  some  insight  into 
legal   proceedings   when   the   great   battle   for    his 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  4^ 

father's  honor  was  on.  He  did  not  notice  the  pass- 
ing moments,  and  even  forgot  the  dainty  lunch  his 
mother  had  prepared  for  him.  He  looked  up  in 
astonishment  when  the  conductor  called  the  name 
of  the  old  college  town.  Slipping  the  book  into  his 
grip,  he  stepped  off  the  train  into  the  leafy  city, 
but  not  the  same  jolly,  easy-going  lad  of  a  year 
ago. 

There  were  several  club  stewards  watching  for 
recruits.  Nearly  all  knew  Everett  McDonald,  and 
supposed,  of  course,  that  he  was  going  to  Engle- 
wood  Hall.  Yet  one  tall,  dark-haired,  broad-shoul- 
dered fellow  from  the  shaggy  hills  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, who  had  been  out  of  school  three  years  and 
had  not  known  Everett,  bustled  up  to  him  and 
asked  him  if  he  were  a  new  student.  The  other 
students  stood  back  of  a  truck  and  chuckled  at 
Langly  asking  Everett  McDonald  if  he  were  a  new 
student.  Then  to  ask  him  to  board  in  a  club  was 
the  richest  joke  of  all. 

"No,"  said  Everett,  "I'm  not  quite  a  new  stu- 
dent.    I've  been  here  three  years." 

"O,  I  beg  your  pardon !"  said  Langly.  "I  am 
running  a  club  to  pay  for  my  board,  and  I'm  anx- 
ious to  get  all  the  fellows  I  possibly  can." 

"I  never  met  you  before.  Have  you  been  in  col- 
lege long?" 

"Well,  I  was  in  four  years  ago,  but  I  had  to 
drop  out  to  make  a  little  money." 

"Well,"  said  Everett  pleasantly,  "I'm  going  to 
room  and  board  with  the  president  of  the  univer- 
sity. I  wish  you  success  in  your  work,  and  will  be 
glad  to  meet  you  again." 

When  Everett  had  disappeared  around  the  cor- 


42  THE    STRUGGLE    FOR    WISDOM. 

ner,  the  club  stewards  surrounded  Langly  and 
asked  him  over  and  over  again  what  McDonald  had 
said.  They  were  simply  astounded  when  Langly 
related  the  conversation,  and  especially  were  they 
surprised  at  the  spirit  in  which  McDonald  had  re- 
ceived him. 

That  evening  at  the  clubs  the  whole  conversation 
was  about  Langly's  venture  with  McDonald.  They 
had  heard  of  the  bank  failure ;  still  it  was  under- 
stood that  Mr.  McDonald  had  saved  a  snug  fortune 
from  the  crash.  They  could  not  understand  why 
McDonald  was  going  to  live  with  the  president  of 
the  university.  No  one  was  more  surprised  than 
Everett's  old  chum  and  room-mate,  Charles 
Haskell. 

The  next  day  as  Everett  was  going  to  the  uni- 
versity to  enroll,  he  met  Charles  coming  up  the 
shaded  walk  with  Miss  Helen  Day.  He  half 
wished  they  had  not  seen  him.  After  greeting  them 
Charles  asked  if  he  were  not  coming  back  to  the  hall. 
He  had  another  room-mate,  as  he  understood  Everett 
was  not  coming  back,  but  there  were  several  single 
rooms  left.  Everett  thanked  him,  but  said  he  was 
very  comfortably  located  in  the  president's  home. 
Charles  said  "You  have  my  sympathy  living  with 
the  president.  No  such  arrangements  for  me." 
Everett  turned  the  conversation  by  asking  Miss  Day 
if  she  had  had  a  pleasant  vacation.  Everett  had  al- 
ways had  a  secret  admiration  for  Miss  Day ;  so  had 
Charles  Haskell.  Miss  Day  had  a  host  of  admirers, 
but  allowed  no  one  to  monopolize  her  time  or  atten- 
tion. How  beautiful  she  looked  in  her  new  suit ! 
"There  may  be  more  beautiful  and  attractive  girls," 
thought  Everett,  "but  I  doubt  it.     But  what  is  the 


The    christian    ATHLETE. 

use  of  my  thinking  of  her,  only  as  an  acquaintance? 
I  haven't  money  or  time  for  such  a  quest."  All  this 
passed  through  Everett's  mind  in  a  moment,  but  as 
he  looked  at  her  he  could  not  help  asking  if  she  had 
had  a  pleasant  vacation. 

"Yes,  indeed  I  have.  I  spent  my  entire  vacation 
in  the  White  Mountains,  and  I  gamed  continually 
in  health." 

"Just  as  if  you  were  an  invalid !"  said  Everett. 

This  little  dialogue  was  not  pleasing  to  Charles, 
and  he  asked  Everett  what  studies  he  expected  to 
take.  Everett  gave  him  his  schedule  of  fourteen 
hours  in  the  regular  course  and  an  extra  of  three 
hours  in  elocution.  "What,"  said  Charles,  "going 
to  take  elocution?  What  do  you  want  with  that 
stuff?  Do  you  expect  to  become  a  public  reader? 
This  is  surely  a  rich  joke !  I  have  sixteen  hours,  and 
I'm  not  going  to  bother  with  such  rot  as  elocution." 

Everett  did  not  reply  to  Charles,  but  asked  Miss 
Day,  with  a  smile,  if  she  had  elocution  on  her  sched- 
ule. Miss  Day  had  not  yet  decided  what  she  would 
take.  Bidding  them  adieu,  Everett  hurried  in  to 
register.  After  talking  with  one  of  the  professors 
about  his  work,  he  walked  out  toward  Foster  Field, 
where  over  seventy  men  were  practicing  for  the  reg- 
ular foot-ball  eleven.  As  Everett  stood  there  he  had 
a  longing  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  to  play  foot- 
ball. The  hot  fever  in  his  veins  made  him  as  restless 
as  a  Derby  three-year-old.  He  knew  the  captain, 
and  he  might  get  the  loan  of  a  suit  for  practice. 
It  would  at  least  be  good  exercise,  and  he  made  up 
his  mind  to  try.  That  evening  he  was  in  the  gym- 
nasium for  practice.  Gymnasium  work  had  always 
been  a  hobby  with  his  old  room-mate,  and  when  he 


44  THE    STRUGGI^E    FOR    WISDOM. 

entered  he  found  Charles  tossing  the  large  rubber 
ball  with  a  half  dozen  strong  fellows.  Charles  in- 
vited Everett  to  join  the  circle.  He  accepted,  and 
stepped  into  the  circle  next  to  Charles.  The  ball 
started  around.  As  Everett  tossed  the  ball  to 
Charles,  Charles  said,  "Put  a  little  more  muscle  on 
the  next  time,  old  fellow."  When  the  ball  reached 
Everett  again  he  pulled  back  the  ball  and  it  shot 
from  his  arms  as  straight  and  swift  as  if  it  had  been 
hurled  from  a  catapult.  It  struck  Charles  as  he 
was  about  half  turned,  and  sent  him  sprawling 
among  the  pullies.  Every  one  held  his  sides  in 
laughter.  '"Did  that  have  enough  muscle  on  it,  old 
fellow?"  asked  Everett  as  Charles  again  took  his 
place  in  the  circle.  Charles  tried  to  laugh  as  though 
it  were  a  huge  joke,  but  down  in  his  heart  he  se- 
cretly cursed  Everett.  He  felt  sure  Everett  was 
jealous  of  him  because  he  had  had  an  afternoon 
with  Miss  Day.  Besides  he  still  felt  incensed  be- 
cause Everett  had  not  replied  to  his  drive  about 
elocution.  Everett  finished  his  exercise,  took  a 
bath  and  then  hurried  to  his  rooms  to  prepare  for 
his  first  recitations,  not  dreaming  of  the  thought  in 
his  old  chum's  mind.  Everett  soon  had  his  work 
done  and  his  mind  somehow  dwelt  on  Miss  Day's 
face.  She  was  of  an  aristocratic  family  in  Colum- 
bus, and  although  not  rich,  she  had  all  her  heart 
could  wish.  Before  his  father's  failure  Everett  had 
some  interest  in  Miss  Day,  but  now  he  was  poor, 
his  father  was  disgraced,  and  he  had  taken  a  vow 
to  clear  his  father's  name.  He  could  not  for  a  mo- 
ment turn  aside  from  an  avowed  path  of  duty.  With 
such  thoughts  in  his  mind  he  paced  to  and  fro  in 
his   room   like  a  caged   lion.     In  the  trying  times 


THK    CHRISTIAN     ATHI,BTR.  45 

that  followed  he  surely  would  have  gone  mad  if 
he  had  not  occupied  his  mind  in  his  studies,  his  body 
in  athletics,  and  his  soul  in  his  sister  Hester's  Bible. 
Everett  spoke  to  the  president  the  next  morn- 
ing about  being  a  candidate  for  the  College  Foot- 
ball Team.  The  president  recommended  the  practice. 
After  the  interview  the  president  called  up  the 
manager  of  athletics  and  suggested  that  Everett 
McDonald  be  asked  to  practice  for  the  regular 
eleven.  Before  chapel  exercises  in  the  afternoon 
Everett  received  a  football  suit  and  a  note  from  the 
manager  asking  him  to  come  to  Foster  Field  as  a 
candidate  for  the  regular  eleven.  With  the  suit 
tied  up  under  his  arm  he  trudged  to  the  elocution 
class.  When  he  took  his  seat  in  the  class  he  did 
not  look  around  to  see  who  were  in  the  room.  He 
was  lost  in  his  text-book  on  elocution,  and  saying 
to  himself,  "If  elocution  is  a  science  and  an  art, 
then  I  guess  I'm  not  so  badly  oiif  as  Charles  tried 
to  make  out.  I  do  not  care  what  others  say,  I  am 
going  to  take  this  study.  I'm  no  speaker  now,  but 
I'll  have  something  to  say  later  on.  Suppose  I 
only  get  the  technique.  I'll  free  the  channels  of 
expression  and  then  if  occasion  ever  demands  I'll 
be  ready." 

In  the  midst  of  this  reverie  the  professor  in  elo- 
cution began  calling  the  roll.  Everett  eyed  the 
professor  with  intense  interest  and  said  to  himself, 
"I  like  his  face;  he  knows  how  to  stand  up,  and 
he  knows  how  to  articulate.  I  haven't  missed  a 
name  yet.  If  I  only  learn  to  articulate  I  guess  my 
time  and  money  will  be  well  spent." 

Just  then  the  professor  called  "Miss  Helen  Day." 
If  the  clouds  had  opened  and  a  voice  had  spoken 


46  the"  struggle  for  wisdom. 

in  thunder  tones  Everett  could  not  have  been  more 
thoroughly  astounded.  Just  behind  him  he  heard 
the  familiar  musical  voice  answer,  "Present."  Ev- 
erett looked  around  and  smiled.  Helen  leaned 
forward  and  said,  "Are  you  going  to  take  elocu- 
tion?   I'm  surprised  at  you." 

Just  then  the  lecture  began  and  Everett  turned 
to  his  note  book.  His  ears  were  lire  red.  He  won- 
dered if  his  collar  was  real  clean.  Was  there  any 
dust  on  his  coat  ?  Did  that  pesky  lock  of  hair  stick 
straight  up  on  his  head?  How  he  did  wish  she 
was  not  directly  behind  him.  No,  he  must  dismiss 
such  thoughts.  He  must  keep  to  his  mission,  he 
must  allow  nothing  to  swerve  him  from  his  purpose. 
He  had  a  few  minutes  after  the  lecture  before  the 
football  practice,  and  he  resolved  to  talk  with  Miss 
Day. 

"Miss  Day,  have  you  a  few  minutes  to  spare?  I 
would  like  to  talk  with  you." 

"Certainly,  Mr.  M^cDonald.  Let  us  walk  out 
under  those  elms." 

They  were  no  sooner  alone  than  Everett  plunged 
boldly  into  what  was  uppermost  in  his  mind.  "Miss 
Day,  I  feel  that  I  ought  to  state  frankly  to  you  my 
situation  at  the  present  time.  I  have  only  a  few 
minutes,  and  I'll  be  brief.  You  know  my  father 
failed  in  business  last  year,  and  I  was  compelled  to 
leave  the  University.  My  father's  failure  was  such 
a  shock  to  my  sister  Hester  that  she  died  of  nervous 
prostration.  All  the  depositors  in  the  Savings  Bank 
were  paid  lOO  cents  on  the  dollar.  It  was  alleged 
that  my  father  had  been  gambling,  but  a  more  false 
statement  never  came  from  human  lips.  If  he  had 
been  a  gambler,  if  he  had  been  dishonest,  he  could 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  47 

have  saved  all  his  property ;  but  he  paid  every  cent. 
We  sold  our  home  on  EucHd  Avenue  in  Cleveland, 
and  our  home  now  is  an  humble  little  cottage  on  an 
obscure  street,  i  did  not  go  back  to  the  hall  simply 
because  I  could  not  afford  to  do  so.  Now,  the  real 
reason  for  my  telling  you  this  is  to  let  you  know  that 
I  cannot  do  in  a  social  way  what  my  heart  would  do. 
I'm  not  going  out  in  society.  I'm  here  to  make  every 
hour  count.  I  expect  to  try  for  the  football  team, 
but  that  seems  to  be  necessary.  I  should  be  on  Fos- 
ter Field  now,"  he  said,  and  bidding  her  adieu,  he 
hurried  to  the  gymnasium,  and  was  soon  ready  for 
practice.  All  the  candidates  who  knew  young  Mc- 
Dona,ld  were  rather  surprised  to  see  him  with  a  foot- 
ball suit  on.  There  would  be  some  satisfaction  in 
rolling  his  pride  in  the  mud.  Rolling  Everett  Mc- 
Donald in  the  mud  was  no  easy  matter,  as  the  boys 
soon  discovered.  In  fact,  they  had  never  dreamed 
that  he  had  such  strength  and  was  so  willing  to  use 
it.  The  captain  warned  him  several  times  not  to 
play  too  fiercely.  He  was  not  fierce ;  he  was  intense, 
and  this  intensity  now  characterized  everything 
he  did.  When  he  studied,  he  studied  with  all  his 
might ;  when  he  talked,  he  talked  business ;  when  he 
declaimed  in  the  elocution  class,  he  declaimed  so 
loud  and  strong  that  the  professor  had  continually 
to  remind  him  to  speak  milder  and  lower;  and  when 
he  was  on  the  athletic  field,  he  forgot  about  all  else 
except  carrying  the  ball  behind  the  posts.  When 
the  squad  Everett  was  practicing  with  was  in  dan- 
ger of  losing  the  ball  it  was  given  to  McDonald, 
and  he  was  sure  to  gain  ground.  It  was  no  sur- 
prise  to  the  boys,  therefore,  when  Everett  was  se- 
lected for  the  fullback  on  the  regular  eleven. 


48  THS    STRUGGLE    FOR    WISDOM. 

When  he  was  selected  for  the  regular  eleven  he 
was  given  a  place  at  the  regular  training  table.  It 
was  a  very  agreeable  change,  for  he  had  not  been 
a  great  success  at  cooking.  \  et  there  was  all  the 
fruit  and  jams  brought  from  home,  and  what  was 
he  to  do  with  them?  It  was  the  first  time  since  his 
father's  failure  that  he  had  been  embarrassed  by 
plenty.  That  night,  as  he  was  about  to  retire,  he 
unwrapped  the  precious  book,  as  was  his  custom,  and 
read.  He  had  been  reading  very  systematically  in 
the  Old  Testament,  and  every  day  Moses  had  grown 
to  be  a  larger  man.  He  liked  his  fiery  zeal,  his  fierce 
enterprise,  still  he  would  conclude  by  reading  over 
those  chapters  that  Hester's  tears  had  stained,  and 
retire  praying  for  the  mind  of  Jesus.  The  next 
morning  he  awoke  with  the  first  streaks  of  light, 
and  was  ready  for  his  morning  walk.  He  remem- 
bered, as  he  was  about  to  leave  his  room,  a  poor 
family  on  the  road  out  to  the  driving  park.  Some- 
how Christ's  words  came  to  him,  "Feed  my  sheep." 
Still  he  did  not  imagine  Christ  meant  for  him  to 
go  to  hunting  out  the  poor  and  feeding  them  jellies. 
He  must  have  had  a  deeper  thought  than  that.  No 
matter,  a  good  glass  of  jelly  might  make  that  poor 
family  feel  happy,  so  he  took  a  glass  in  his  hand  and 
started  out  on  his  walk.  He  soon  came  to  the  little 
hut  and  found  the  family  up.  He  knocked  on  the 
door  and  was  admitted  into  the  poverty-stricken 
house.  It  was  a  bare,  dirty  room.  The  water  had 
soaked  through  the  roof  and  left  dim  outlines  of 
ghosts  on  the  walls.  The  two  children  held  to  their 
mother's  dress  and  peeped  out  at  the  stranger.  The 
husband  and  father  was  a  degraded  looking  wretch. 
It  was  easy  enough  to  guess  that  his  hard-earned 


THK    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  49 

money  went  for  rum.     Everett  said  that  his  mother 
had  sent  him  some  jelUes,  and  he  thought  he  would 
give  them  a  glass  if  they  would  accept  it.    Of  course 
they  accepted.     Everett  tarried  just  a  moment,  and 
finally   said:     "You    have    no    books,    have  you? 
Would  you  like  a  book  ?    Well,  I  will  bring  you  one 
tomorrow  morning."     The    next  morning  Everett 
stopped  with  another  glass  of  jelly  and  a  book.     It 
was  Part  I  of  the  Twentieth    Century  New  Testa- 
ment.   Everett  read  a  little  from  the  book,  and  then 
hurried  on  in  his  walk.    The  husband  picked  up  the 
book  and  looked  at  it.     Then  he  read  a  little  in  it. 
Finally  he  said :    "Wife,  this  is  an  odd  way  of  put- 
ting the  Bible.    I  never  cared  to  read  the  Bible  be- 
fore, but  I  can  understand  this.     Suppose  I  read   a 
few  verses  ?"    He  read  out  of  the  magic  book.  There 
had  been  drunken  oaths  before  in  that  house ;  now 
the  voice  of  Christ  was  heard.    He  read  four  chap- 
ters in  Acts.     They  ate  their  breakfast  in  silence, 
for  both  were  thinking  of  the  time  in  their  lives  when 
the  Bible  had  been  read  in  their  homes,  when  their 
parents  had   family  worship,  and  when  they  were 
happy.    The  curse  of  rum  had  come  into  their  lives, 
they  had  fallen  lower  and  lower,  and  at  last  in  pov- 
erty and  disgrace  they  were  ready  to  curse  God  and 
die.    The  next  morning  when  Everett  came  with  a 
glass  of  fruit  they  told  him  their  history.    With  tears 
in  his  eyes  Everett  took  the  little  volume  he    had 
presented  them  and  read  from  John— "If  you  love 
me,  you  will  lay  my  commands  to  heart,  and  I  will 
ask  the  Father,  and  he  will  give  you  another  Helper, 
to  be  with  you  always — I  mean  the  Spirit  of  Truth. 
The  world  cannot  receive  this  spirit  because  it  does 
not  see  him  or  recognize  him,  but  you  recognize  him, 
because  he  is  always  with  you,  and  is  within  you.    I 


50  THE    STRUGGLE    FOR    WISDOM. 

will  not  leave  you  bereaved ;  I  will  come  to  you.  In 
a  little  while  the  world  will  see  me  no  more,  but  you 
will  still  see  me,  because  I  am  always  living  and,  you 
will  be  living  also.  It  is  those  who  have  my  com- 
mands and  lay  them  to  heart  that  love  me ;  and  those 
who  love  me  will  be  loved  by  my  Father,  and  I,  too, 
will  love  them,  and  will  reveal  myself  to  them." 

Kneeling  down  on  the  bare  floor,  he  lifted  his 
voice  to  the  Great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep  and  prayed 
for  Christ  to  reveal  himself  to  each  one  of  them  in 
convicting  and  converting  power.  When  he  con- 
cluded, the  mother  attempted  to  pray,  but  could  only 
say  "Lord  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,"  and  then 
sobbed  aloud.  No  one  attempted  to  arise.  The  chil- 
dren huddled  closer  to  their  mother  and  made  no 
sound.  A  moment  more,  and  the  husband  began  a 
prayer  that  tore  aside  the  fastenings  of  sin  and  ena- 
bled him  to  walk  with  Christ.  "I  am  a  sinful  man, 
O,  Lord.  I  have  often  thought  of  you,  but  still  I 
was  never  before  willing  to  get  down  on  my  knees. 
Forgive  me  for  my  stubbornness,  pardon  me  for  all 
the  heartaches  and  poverty  I  have  brought  into  my 
home.  O,  God,  help  me  to  live  right  and  bring  up 
these  children  as  Christians.  Now,  O,  God,  I  haven't 
the  money  to  go  to  an  institute  to  be  cured  of  the 
drink  habit ;  I  know  you  can  cure  me  without  that. 
Now,  God,  help  me  never  to  take  another  drop  of 
rum.  I  will  never  say  another  unkind  word  to  my 
wife,  and  I  will  take  my  children  to  Sunday  school 
every  Sunday,  and  now  I  want  you  to  bless  this 
young  man  and  help  him  to  help  others  as  he  has 
helped  us."  Everett  wiped  the  tears  from  his 
happy  face  and  went  forth  rejoicing  with  the  angels 
over  that  prayer  meeting.  He  thought  of  the  inci- 
dent all  dav  long.     He  thought  of  it  when  he  got 


TH5    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  5^ 

his  lesson.  He  thought  of  it  when  he  re- 
cited. He  thought  of  it  on  the  athletic  field 
when  he  pushed  and  tugged  against  his  worthy  op- 
ponents. What  thought  seemed  to  be  with  him 
most?  Was  it  the  fact  that  he  had  carried  jelly  and 
fruit  to  that  poor  family ;  was  it  the  fact  that  he  had 
given  them  a  Bible  and  finally  led  them  to  Christ? 
No ;  it  was  the  last  sentence  of  that  man  coming  out 
into  the  dawning  light — "God,  help  this  young  man 
to  help  others  as  he  has  helped  us." 

Could  he  do  it?  Was  he  able  to  do  such  work? 
Did  God  really  want  him  to  do  such  work  ? 

The  president  had  a  reception  at  his  home  that 
night,  and  expected  Everett  to  be  one  of  the  guests, 
but  he  did  not  appear.  About  9  o'clock  Mrs.  Habs- 
dorf  said  she  supposed  Mr.  McDonald  had  denied 
himself  to  get  his  lessons,  so  she  took  some  ice 
cream,  cake  and  a  glass  of  lemonade  up  to  his  room. 
She  did  not  trust  the  servant  with  the  mission,  but 
went  herself.  She  rapped  gently  on  the  door,  but 
there  was  no  response.  She  waited  a  few  moments 
and  rapped  again.  "He  must  be  out,"  she  thought. 
Well,  she  would  put  the  tray  on  his  table,  and  per- 
haps he  would  return  in  time  to  enjoy  her  remem- 
brance. She  opened  the  door  to  step  in,  but  could 
not  enter.  Everett  McDonald  had  gone  to  sleep  on 
his  knees  at  his  bedside  with  his  tear-stained  cheek 
on  the  open  pages  of  sister  Hester's  Bible.  Pulling 
the  door  gently  to,  she  hurried  down  to  the  study. 

That  night  there  was  rejoicing  not  alone  in  that 
cottage  at  the  edge  of  the  city,  not  alone  in  the  pres- 
ident's home,  for  the  angels  in  heaven  had  watched 
the  young  man  with  his  disciplined  mind  and  giant 
strength  consecrate  himself  to  Christ's  work  and 
sink  down  exhausted,  saying,  "I  wihh." 


CHAPTER  IV. 


A   PRICELESS   JEWEI,- 


"For  her  price  is  far  above  rubies." 

Helen  Day  stood  for  several  minutes  under  the 
big  elms,  looking"  in  the  direction  Everett  McDonald 
had  gone  after  telling  her  so  frankly  of  his  sorrow 
and  embarassment.  The  tears  stood  in  her  big 
brown  eyes  and  she  said  to  herself,  "I  wish  I  could 
have  spoken  and  told  him  how  sorry  I  am  for  him. 
Still,  I'm  glad  he  didn't  see  my  tears."  She  walked 
slowly  and  thoughtfully  to  the  Hall  by  a  back  street. 
Her  sympathies  had  never  been  so  deeply  stirred 
before.    She  was  wondering  what  she  could  do. 

That  evening  her  girls  friends  teased  her  about 
being  so  sober.  Was  she  in  love,  or  had  she  been 
disappointed  in  love,,  or  was  she  studying  whether  or 
not  to  get  in  love?  Helen  only  smiled  at  their  jests. 
She  studied  over  the  matter  all  evening,  and  finally 
decided  that  it  would  not  be  improper  to  send  Mr. 
McDonald  a  lettter  expressing  her  sympathy.  The 
next  day  the  following  letter  reached  Everett  in  his 
lonely  room : 

"Dear  Mr.  McDonald:— 

"I  suppose  you  thought  I  did  not  appreciate  your  frank- 

52 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATH1,KTE.  53 

ness  today  when  you  told  me  of  your  grief  and  struggles. 
Indeed,  I  did ;  but  you  did  not  give  me  time  to  express 
myself.  You  have  my  deepest  sympathy,  and  I  trust  you 
will  not  feel  any  embarrassment  because  of  the  lack  of 
money.  I  shall  be  glad  to  walk  with  you  any  time  you 
have  the  leisure.    Believe  me,  very  truly  your  friend, 

"Helen  Day." 

Everett  read,  re-read,  and  read  again. 

The  next  week  was  an  eventful  one  in  college 
life.  The  university  eleven  was  to  meet  its  great 
rival  upon  the  athletic  field.  The  day  for  the  con- 
test dawned  bright  and  beautiful.  Both  elevens  had 
met  their  minor  opponents  and  had  scored  about 
equally  against  them.  College  spirit  ran  high,  and 
even  the  old  professor  in  Greek  had  two  tickets  for 
the  game. 

The  great  crowd  filled  every  available  seat.  On 
one  side  of  that  vast  amphitheatre  was  massed  the 
loyal  supporters  of  the  home  team,  with  their  crim- 
son and  jet  flags,  their  megaphones  and  willing 
throats,  ever  ready  to  aid  in  the  college  cheer.  On 
the  opposite  side  were  the  no  less  enthusiastic  rivals, 
with  their  flags  of  blue  and  orange.  The  end  stands 
were  taxed  to  their  fullest  capacities,  and  the  sea  of 
mingled  flags  told  plainly  enough  that  there  were 
few  non-partisans.  First  came  the  eleven  Titan 
rivals  through  the  opening  under  the  north  stand. 
Their  entrance  was  the  signal  for  intense  enthusi- 
asm. In  the  midst  of  the  cheers  came  the  eleven 
braves  of  the  home  team.  As  the  two  teams  ran  to 
the  center  of  the  field,  the  entire  audience  of  20,000 
stood  upon  their  seats,  waved  hats,  flags,  handker- 
chiefs, blew  horns  and  gave  cheer  after  cheer.  The 
toss  was  won  by  the  home  team  and  they  chose  the 
east  goal,  securing  a  slight  advantage  in  wind.    As 


54  A    PRICELESS   JEWEL. 

the  two  teams  lined  up  the  crowd  sat  down  with  fast 
beating  hearts.  The  ball  shot  into  the  air,  twenty- 
two  men  rushed  in  its  direction,  and  the  battle  royal 
was  on.  The  teams  were  more  evenly  matched  than 
had  been  supposed.  At  no  time  in  the  first  half  of 
the  game  was  either  goal  in  danger.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  closeness  of  the  game,  every  minute  was 
thrilling.  Not  once  did  the  spectators  on  the  four 
towering  tiers  take  their  eyes  from  that  battle  of  the 
giants.  The  elevens  worked  together  as  if  they  were 
mighty  machines,  pushing,  tugging,  weaving  and 
never  tiring.  The  first  half  ended  with  the  ball  in 
the  center  of  the  field,  in  the  hands  of  the  rivals. 

In  the  second  half  both  teams  came  back  to  the 
gridiron  determined  to  win.  The  ball  shot  into  the 
air  again.  After  a  fumble  or  two,  the  quarter-back 
of  the  rival  team  picked  up  the  ball,  quick  as  a 
flash,  and  started  toward  the  coveted  goal.  The 
audience  arose  as  one  man.  The  little  quarter-back 
covered  ten  yards  without  halting,  ten  more,  twenty 
more,  and  it  did  seem  as  if  the  field  was  clear,  but 
one  fellow  who  had  played  back  was  fully  awake  to 
the  danger.  He  brushed  aside  the  interference,  and 
like  a  swift  panther  of  the  jungle  brought  the  quar- 
ter-back to  the  ground.  Now  thoroughly  aroused 
by  their  gain,  the  rivals  plunged  through  the  center, 
then  around  the  ends,  a  double  pass,  and  before  the 
home  team  could  realize  it  the  ball  was  planted  be- 
hind the  goal  posts.  The  try  for  goal  failed,  and  the 
score  stood  5  to  o  in  favor  of  the  rival  team.  Then 
came  the  old  contest  over  again  in  the  center  of  the 
field.  In  one  of  the  rushes  one  man  sprained  his 
ankle.  While  the  ankle  was  being  rubbed  Everett 
McDonald  looked  up  at  the  grand  stand,  not  twenty 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLE^TE. 

feet  away,  and  saw  Helen  Day,  with  her  father  and 
Charles  Haskell  sitting  on  the  second  row.  Helen 
motioned  to  him.  As  Everett  hurried  up,  Helen 
said: 

"Mr.  McDonald,  can't  you  win  the  game  ?" 

"Not  sure.  We  have  made  several  gains  lately, 
but  the  prospects  are  not  very  bright.  We  have  the 
ball  on  the  next  try,  but  that  team  is  like  a  stone 
wall." 

"O !  but  you  must  win !"  said  Helen,  excitedly. 
"Here  is  a  red  carnation,"  and  then  said  in  a  whis- 
per, so  that  only  Everett  heard,  "for  my  sake,  carry 
the  carnation  to  victory  behind  the  goal  posts."  The 
whistle  sounded  again,  and  the  two  teams  struggled 
once  more  without  a  gain. 

"Only  five  minutes  left  of  the  second  half,"  some 
one  said.  Everett  McDonald  asked  for  the  ball. 
On  the  next  play  it  was  snapped  back  to  him.  The 
two  teams  rushed  together  again,  winding  around 
as  a  mighty  corkscrew.  All  at  once  McDonald  shot 
out  from  that  winding  mass  and  toward  the  coveted 
goal.  One  man  clutched  at  McDonald's  side  and 
went  sprawling  to  the  ground.  Like  baffled  beasts 
of  prey  that  moving  mountain  of  muscle  leaped  into 
the  path  of  that  daring  runner.  Twice  McDonald 
was  hurled  to  the  ground,  but  twice  succeeded  in 
gaining  his  feet.  He  fought  toward  the  north,  then 
changed  to  the  south,  leaving  his  path  strewn  with 
struggling  gladiators.  At  last  he  was  thrown  on 
his  opponents'  fifteen-yard  line.  Before  he  could 
be  pinned  to  the  earth  he  had  crawled  five  yards 
further  toward  the  goal.  One  minute  left,  and  ten 
more  yards  to  gain.  Both  sides  were  desperate. 
The  great  multitude  swayed  and  roared  and  howled 


56  A    PRICELESS   JEWEL 

like  the  sea  in  a  storm.  Everett  McDonald  called 
again  for  the  ball  and  an  opening  through  left 
guard.  As  the  ball  shot  back  into  McDonald's  arms, 
his  companions,  with  one  last  mighty  effort,  hurled 
their  opponents  from  their  footing,  and  the  red  car- 
nation was  planted  behind  the  goal  posts.  The  score 
now  stood  5  to  5,  with  the  home  team  to  try  for 
goal. 

The  captain  of  the  team,  lying  prostrate  on  the 
ground,  held  the  ball  for  McDonald's  try  for  goal. 
The  frantic  multitude  hushed  into  silence.  Every 
eye  was  riveted  on  that  sight.  Every  heart  beat 
fast.  Every  spectator  held  his  breath,  and  was  as 
intent  on  that  kick  as  if  the  fate  of  empires  hung  in 
the  balance.  McDonald  drew  back  his  foot,  and  that 
vast  multitude  leaned  forward  with  every  muscle 
set.  He  kicked,  intentionally  missing  the  bail.  Ev- 
erett laughed  at  his  companions,  who  were  shaking 
with  nervousness.  The  great  multitude  seemed  to 
relax  a  little.  Then  he  stepped  back,  the  smile  faded 
from  his  face,  his  eyes  gleamed  with  their  familiar 
fire,  and  every  muscle  was  drawn  tight.  Stepping 
forward  quick  as  a  flash,  he  kicked  the  ball  as 
squarely  between  the  goal  posts  as  if  it  had  been 
shot  from  a  rifle  barrel,  and  the  home  team  had 
won.  Who  can  picture  the  wild  scene  of  joy  that 
followed?  As  McDonald  was  borne  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  his  shouting  friends,  he  glanced  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Helen  Day,  and  smiled.  Captain  Day  was 
a  shrewd  observer.  He  had  seen  his  daughter  give 
the  red  carnation.  He  saw  the  scowl  on  Charles 
Haskell's  face  as  Everett  was  carried  past,  but  could 
not  help  admiring  the  hero  who  had  won  the  day. 
Still  he  was  not  entirely  carried  away,  for  he  knew 


THE    CHRISTIAN    aTPHI.ETB.  57 

that  it  took  more  than  football  skill  to  win  in  the 
great  struggle  of  life.  That  evening,  when  he  and 
Helen  were  alone  at  dinner,  he  asked  about  the  hero 
of  the  day.  Helen  colored  slightly  and  said  that 
Mr.  McDonald  was  one  of  her  friends.  She  did  not 
care  to  go  into  details,  because  her  father  was  so 
very  particular  about  her  associates.  He  wanted 
her  to  go  with  no  poor  boys,  and  only  the  very  best 
of  the  rich. 

That  evening,  as  he  went  back  to  the  hotel,  he 
met  Charles  Haskell  going  nearly  the  same  direc- 
tion. The  thought  at  once  occurred  to  him  to  ask 
particularly  about  the  young  man  to  whom  his 
daughter  had  been  such  an  inspiration. 

Charles  immediately  saw  a  coveted  opportunity 
for  getting  even  with  his  ex-chum.  His  jealous 
nature  w^as  intoxicated  by  his  chance. 

"Well,  Mr.  Day,  I  don't  know  that  I  am  a  compe- 
tent judge.  I  used  to  room  with  McDonald  and  we 
were  warm  friends,  but  he  has  acted  so  strangely 
since  his  father's  disgrace  that — " 

"Disgrace !"  said  Captain  Day,  thoroughly  aston- 
ished.   "What  do  you  mean?" 

"Now,  Mr.  Day,  I  did  not  mean  to  tell  you  that 
part  of  it." 

"Go  on,"  said  Captain  Day.  "What  you  tell  me 
will  be  held  in  confidence." 

"Well,  Everett  McDonald's  father  was  president 
of  the  Savings  Bank  in  Cleveland.  He  got  every- 
body's confidence  by  being  an  elder  in  the  Presby- 
terian church.  He  took  the  deposits  for  gambling 
and  wrecked  the  bank." 

"The  rascal !"  said  Captain  Day. 

"Then,"  continued  Charles,  "for  some  strange  rea- 


58  A    PRICELKSS  JEWKI.. 

son — I  suppose  sympathy — the  president  of  the 
university  has  taken  McDonald  into  his  home.  Mc- 
Donald has  some  very  poor  relatives  in  this  city.  I 
don't  see  why  he  didn't  go  there." 

"I  presume,"  said  the  Captain,  "he  is  ashamed  of 
his  poor  relatives." 

"O,  no!  If  you  will  remain  in  this  city  until 
morning-  I  can  show  you  how  he  enjoys  the  com- 
pany of  those  who  are  shunned  by  everybody." 

Captain  Day  was  deeply  interested  and  aroused. 
Why  should  his  daughter  countenance  such  a  fel- 
low ?  While  he  could  not  say  she  regarded  him  other 
than  as  a  friend,  he  felt  quite  sure,  from  all  he  had 
seen  and  heard,  that  the  scamp  was  in  love  with 
Helen.  He  decided  he  would  go  with  Charles  the 
next  morning. 

Charles  Haskell  had  discovered,  by  the  merest 
accident,  Everett's  visits  to  the  cottage,  and  had 
concluded  that  such  regular  visits  could  only  be 
made  to  sympathetic  relatives. 

Early  the  next  morning,  according  to  agreement, 
Captain  Day  and  Charles  Haskell  were  ready  for 
their  inspecting  tour.  "It  is  just  barely  possible," 
said  Charles,  "that  he  may  not  take  his  usual  trip 
after  that  hard  work  of  yesterday."  But  just  as 
they  came  within  sight  of  the  president's  home  they 
saw  Everett  go  out  of  the  side  door  and  start  out 
the  well-worn  path  toward  the  driving  park. 

After  a  brisk  walk  they  came  to  a  sheltered  spot 
from  which  they  could  easily  watch  the  cottage 
where  Charles  said  Everett  was  accustomed  to  visit. 
It  was  only  a  log  hut,  but  stood  in  strange  contrast 
to  the  other  huts.  There  was  a  lawn,  there  were 
beautiful  flowers,  there  were  honeysuckles  growing 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETB.  59 

over  the  door,  there  were  curtains  up  at  the  window. 
Captain  Day  had  hardly  time  to  observe  these  things 
before  the  door  swung  open  and  young  McDonald 
came  out.  The  husband  and  wife,  with  their  two 
children,  stood  in  the  doorway,  the  picture  of  happi- 
ness. As  Everett  went  out  the  gate  the  children 
threw  him  kisses  with  their  little  dimpled  hands. 
At  the  bend  in  the  road,  just  before  he  passed  from 
view,  he  turned  and  lifted  his  cap  to  the  family  in 
the  doorway. 

With  scowling  face  Captain  Day  walked  back  to 
the  hotel.  He  said  little  except  to  thank  Charles 
Haskell  very  warmly  for  his  kindness.  He  was 
vexed,  yes  angry,  to  think  Helen  countenanced  such 
a  fellow.  And  he  was  doubly  mad  to  think  that  the 
president  of  the  university  was  harboring  him.  He 
had  neither  wish  nor  time  to  talk  with  Helen,  as  he 
was  in  an  ugly  frame  of  mind.  The  next  day  he 
sent  the  following  note  from  his  office  in  Columbus : 

"My  Dear  Daughter: — 

"While  visiting  you  I  could  not  fail  to  notice  your  in- 
terest in  young  McDonald,  who,  through  your  gift,  became 
the  hero  of  that  most  interesting  and  exciting  game.  I 
made  some  very  thorough  investigations  in  regard  to  the 
young  man,  and  I  am  warranted  in  warning  you  against 
cultivating  his  friendship.  I  am  sure  you  will  value  a 
father's  advice  and  not  accept  his  company  at  any  time. 
"Your  loving  father, 

"J.  W.  Day." 

Everett  and  Helen  walked  out  of  the  elocution 
class  together  the  day  after  the  exciting  game.  As 
the  football  season  was  over,  they  walked  not  a  half- 
hour,  but  two  hours  and  a  half.  They  sauntered 
down  the  long,  shady  lane  to  the  bank  of  the  stream. 


6o  A    PRICKI^ESS   JEWEt. 

The  giving  and  receiving  of  that  red  carnation  was 
fraught  with  deeper  significance  than  that  which 
the  keen  eye  of  Captain  Day  had  observed.  From 
that  moment  the  shallow  flow  of  sympathy  between 
them  changed  into  the  ever-widening  stream  of 
abiding  love.  As  they  sat  there  on  that  mossy  bank 
Helen  listened  to  the  familiar  but  never  common- 
place story.  They  tried  to  look  into  the  future  and 
count  the  cost. 

The  next  day  Helen  received  her  father's  note. 
The  blood  rushed  to  her  cheeks  and  she  bit  her  lips. 
Finally,  she  said,  "Father  will  be  reasonable,  I 
know."  On  the  next  mail  Captain  Day  received  the 
following : 

"Dear  Father: —    "Do  not  worry  about  me. 

"Lovingly,  Helen." 

The  days  soon  slipped  by,  and  after  the  mid-yeai 
examinations  Helen  went  home  on  her  vacation. 
Captain  Day  had  been  informed  that  a  very  warm 
attachment  existed  between  his  daughter  and  Ever- 
ett McDonald.  When  Helen  reached  home  she 
found  all  plans  formed  for  a  sojourn  abroad  with  her 
mother.  She  protested,  and  said  she  wanted  to  re- 
turn and  finish  her  year's  work,  but  Captain  Day 
said  she  must  go  with  her  mother.  Nothing  was 
said  in  regard  to  Everett  McDonald,  but  Helen  sus- 
pected the  design  of  the  trip.  She  went  to  her  room 
and  burst  out  crying.  What  should  she  do?  After 
much  thought  she  sealed  a  tear-stained  letter  to 
Everett  and  was  ready  to  go. 

Uncle  Rufus,  the  old  colored  servant,  was  to  ac- 
company Helen  and  Mrs.  Day  on  their  trip.  Cap- 
tain Day  said  that  Rufus  was  just  the  one  to  go. 
Rufus  had  been  in  the  Day  family  for  over  fifteen 


The  christian  athlete  6i 

years,  and  he  was  especially  fond  of  doing  Helen's 
bidding.  Captain  Day  had  had  several  confidential 
talks  with  Rufiis,  and  explained  carefully  what  he 
was  to  do  on  the  trip.  He  was  a  good  servant  and 
had  never  disobeyed  his  master.  He  had  been  thor- 
oughly impressed  with  the  idea  that  he  was  to  save 
Helen  by  preventing  her  letters  from  reaching 
Everett  McDonald.  Rufus  was  given  to  understand 
that  McDonald  was  the  son  of  a  rascal,  was  poor, 
and  found  his  chief  enjoyment  in  associating  with 
the  disreputable.  This  was  sufficient.  Mrs.  Day 
was  not  so  sure  about  her  dislike  to  the  young  man 
whom  she  had  never  met.  She  simplv  allowed  her 
husband  to  have  his  own  way. 

The  day  for  leaving  home  was  a  miserably  dreary 
one.  Helen's  pale  face  and  red  eyes  told  plainly 
that  a  burden  was  on  her  heart.  Captain  Day  tried 
to  be  cheerful,  but  his  levity  passed  away  every  time 
he  encountered  Helen's  pathetic  look. 

The  trip  across  the  ocean  was  rather  rough,  and 
as  Uncle  Rufus  was  a  poor  sailor,  he  said  several 
times  that  he  wanted  to  go  back.  After  several  days 
on  the  water  he  was  able  to  crawl  on  deck.  He 
looked  out  over  the  wide  stretch  of  the  sea  and  re- 
marked to  Helen :  "I  neva  'sposed  tha's  as  much 
wata  in  the  wuld.  I  done  believes  dis  ocean's  as  big 
as  de  state  of  Ohio.  You  don't  'spose  tha's  any 
danger  of  de  vessel  hittin'  on  de  bottom?  Is  tha 
any  life  preservers  on  board?" 

"Rufus,  you  have  queer  notions  of  Ohio.  I'm  not 
sure  ?bout  the  life  preservers  on  this  boat  being  able 
to  float  yoa,  but  there  is  another  Ohio  man  on  the 
ship,  and  perhaps  you  can  get  one  of  his  inflated 
ideas  and  strap  it  around  your  waist.  I  know  you 
will  be  safe  then." 


62  A    PRICELESS   JEWEL. 

"  'Deed,  Miss  Helen,  Ohio  ideas  has  heen  pretty 
good  life  preservers,  don't  you  reckon  so?" 

Mrs.  Day  thought  they  had  hetter  read  the  history 
of  the  countries  they  were  going  to  visit  instead  of 
sharpening  their  wits  for  repartee. 

It  was  a  relief  to  all  when  they  landed  in  London. 
It  was  agreed  that  they  should  visit  in  England,  Ire- 
land, Scotland,  Germany,  Switzerland,  Italy,  and 
then  go  to  the  Holy  Land.  Helen  was  a  puzzle  to 
her  mother.  Everywhere  they  went  she  was  com- 
pletely absorbed  in  social  conditions.  She  wanted  to 
know  especially  about  what  was  being  done  for  the 
unchurched  masses.  With  Rufus  as  her  guard  she 
went  into  the  most  dangerous  places,  into  the  homes 
of  the  poorest  natives  to  find  what  was  being  done 
for  their  salvation.  Leaving  the  panoramic  moun- 
tains of  Switzerland,  they  said,  with  Paul,  "I  must 
also  see  Rome."  Standing  on  a  sacred  hill  in  one 
of  the  matchless  Italian  sunsets,  Helen  read  from 
the  deathless  words  of  that  heroic  apostle  who  was 
not  afraid  of  a  frowning  world.  Mrs.  Day  was 
willing  to  remain  in  Italy,  but  Helen  said  Italy  was 
not  the  end  but  the  beginning.  She  had  a  yearning 
she  could  only  partly  explain  to  see  the  sacred,  the 
Holy  Land.  What  a  wonderful  journey  it  was! 
Helen  saw  nothing  commonplace  nor  uninteresting. 
They  passed  through  Alexandria,  the  gateway  into 
Egypt,  and  were  soon  amid  the  ruins  of  the  oldest 
civilization  of  the  world.  The  magic  Nile,  the  tow- 
ering pyramids — "memorials  of  the  world's  youth," 
the  silent  sphinx,  the  broken  columns,  and  ruined 
cities,  rose  before  them  with  their  own  strange 
story.  But  this  was  not  all,  for  other  visions  came 
to  Helen.     She  saw  Joseph  stand  unspotted  amid 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  63 

the  corruptions  and  idolatry  of  a  mighty  court ;  she 
saw  Moses  exchange  a  monarch's  crown  for  a  shep- 
herd's staff ;  she  saw  the  birth  of  history  as  an  op- 
pressed people  moved  out  toward  a  promised  land. 
Standing  under  an  old  tree  at  Heliopolis  there  rose 
before  her  vision  the  child  Jesus  as  He  once  rested 
there  with  Joseph  and  Mary  secure  from  the  wrath 
of  Herod.  Then,  becoming  one  of  the  Israelites, 
she  moved  from  the  bustle  of  the  land  of  the  Pha- 
raohs out  into  the  solemn  grandeur  and  silence  of 
the  Sinaitic  Peninsula.  It  did  not  seem  strange  now 
that  God  had  chosen  such  a  place  as  a  training  school 
for  the  Israelites.  Especially  did  it  seem  fitting 
that  such  sublime  creations  as  the  Pentateuch,  the 
90th  Psalm,  and  the  poem  of  Job  should  have  here 
shaped  themselves  into  the  leaden  alphabet  of  human 
speech.  Even  Rufus  took  off  his  hat  as  they  gazed 
up  and  up  at  the  mountain  where  Sinai  swung  like 
a  pot  of  incense  in  a  sea  of  blue.  After  a  rest  under 
the  famous  oak  of  Abraham,  about  two  miles  from 
Gaza,  they  were  ready  for  entrance  into  the  land 
flowing  with  milk  and  honey.  From  the  top  of  a 
hill,  after  some  travel,  they  looked  down  on  Hebron 
with  its  rich  setting  of  vines  and  trees,  its  flowers 
and  fruit ;  then  they  rode  on  over  the  "hilly  country 
of  Judea"  and  thought  of  David  in  his  wanderings 
and  Mary  in  her  song.  When  they  came  to  the 
pools  of  Solomon  they  knew  they  were  not  far  from 
the  cave  in  Bethlehem  where  the  Savior  of  the  world 
was  born,  not  far  from  the  place  where  the  angelic 
choir  sang  to  the  shepherds  of  God's  glory  and 
earth's  peace.  Her  pen  trembled  in  her  hand  as  she 
tried  to  wi  ite  of  her  impressions  while  walking  amid 
the  surroundings  and  among  the  ruins  of  Jerusalem. 


64  A    PRICEIvESS  JEWEI*. 

Churches,  cathedrals  and  tombs ;  valleys,  rivers  and 
lakes,  were  to  her  the  voices  of  sirens.  Mrs.  Day 
and  Rufus  followed  her  never  weary  feet  through 
the  Holy  Sepulcher,  across  the  Kedron  valley,  into 
the  home  of  Martha  and  Mary,  and  finally  to  the 
Mount  of  Olives.  She  had  a  copy  of  Josephus  and 
the  Bible,  but  her  eyes  so  filled  with  tears  that  the 
faithful  mother  was  compelled  to  read  for  her. 

One  morning,  as  they  were  drinking  in  for  the 
last  time  the  wonderful  scenes  that  swept  before 
their  gaze,  Helen's  mind  wandered  beyond  the  dis- 
tant horizon,  and  she  thought  of  the  one  whose  life 
and  plans  were  part  of  her  own.  It  would  have  been 
a  deep  pleasure  to  have  heard  from  him,  and  yet  she 
was  not  worried  by  his  silence.  Her  trip  abroad 
had  not  been  desired  on  her  part,  yet  now  in  the 
quiet  of  her  thoughts  she  knew  God  was  schooling 
her.  in  the  lands  of  history  and  song  and  prophecy 
for  the  life  she  and  Everett  had  pledged  together 
that  afternoon  in  the  old  college  town.  She  looked 
away  from  the  things  of  sense  and  time  and  saw  the 
crucified  and  risen  Savior.  She  again  counted  the 
cost  of  the  life  she  had  pledged,  and  falling  on  her 
knees,  she  again  renewed  her  vows.  As  that  lonely 
girl  in  that  sacred  land  was  kneeling  among  those 
gnarled  olive  trees.  He  who  had  there  sweat  the 
bloody  sweat  years  before,  stooped,  and  listened 
and  smiled. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE  DIVINE  WRESTLER. 


"Waxed  valiant  in  fight." 

Everett  McDonald's  activity  did  not  cease  with 
the  close  of  the  football  season.  Every  morning, 
rain  or  shine,  he  took  his  run  out  to  the  driving  park. 
If  Captain  Day  and  Charles  Haskell  had  followed 
him  out,  week  after  week,  they  would  have  seen 
improvements  going  on  at  other  cottages  than  the 
one  they  had  observed,  and  they  would  also  have 
seen  that  more  than  one  family  stood  in  the  doorway 
to  wave  to  the  athlete  as  he  turned  the  bend  in  the 
road.  ' 

His  activity  in  the  gymnasium  was  also  marked. 
His  intense  nature  found  delight  in  wrestling,  box- 
ing and  fencing.  Even  the  instructors  were  forced 
to  admit  his  superior  ability.  He  had  also  become  a 
great  favorite  among  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  boys  on  ac- 
count of  his  enthusiastic  work.  The  boys,  using  a 
football  phrase,  said  that  when  McDonald  tackled 
one  of  the  fellows,  he  always  brought  him  to  his 
knees.  Before  the  close  of  the  year  every  member 
of  the  famous  football  team  was  an  active  worker  in 
the  association.    Everett  had  a  manly,  business-like 

65 


66  The  divine  wrestler. 

way  of  talking  to  the  boys,  and  because  of  his  own 
deep  experience  he  usually  prevailed. 

In  the  class-room  Everett's  intensity  was  even 
more  marked.  Whether  the  problems  were  hard  or 
the  lessons  long,  he  never  complained.  His  only 
concern  was  to  have  his  lessons  when  the  hour  ar- 
rived. He  seemed  to  be  entirely  oblivious  to  the 
grumbling,  shirking  and  cheating  going  on  around 
him.  He  was  not  entirely  lost  to  all  things,  however. 
One  of  the  most  promising  fellows  in  the  graduat- 
ing class  seemed  to  find  his  supreme  difficulty  in 
mathematics.  He  was  accustomed  to  use  unfair 
methods  in  reciting.  One  day,  after  class,  Everett 
asked  the  struggling  classmate  if  he  cared  to  study 
with  him  for  the  next  recitation.  They  worked  the 
lesson  out,  and  the  next  day  the  fellow  recited  hon- 
estly and  with  a  happy  face.  From  that  time  on  not 
a  dishonest  act  characterized  that  student's  life. 
He  never  received  a  rebuke  from  Everett  at  any  time 
during  the  year.  Sympathy  and  a  helping  hand  ac- 
complished what  rebuke  never  could  have  accom- 
plished. Such  wholesome,  tactful  Christianity  made 
McDonald's  life  a  holy  inspiration  to  all  his  associ- 
ates. Especially  was  he  courteous  and  kind  toward 
Charles  Haskell.  When  the  day  came  for  the  gradu- 
ating class  to  elect  commencement  speakers,  every 
one  unanimously  agreed  that  McDonald  should  be 
chosen  the  class  orator.  When  the  time  came  for  his 
nomination  and  election,  McDonald  rose  before  any- 
one else  could  speak,  and  said :  "Mr.  President  and 
fellow-classmates : — Some  friends  have  spoken 
kindly  to  me  about  this  position  as  class  orator.  It 
is  a  great  honor  to  be  chosen  by  one's  fellows,  and 
the  honor  should  not  be  lightly  put  aside.     But, 


The  christian  athi^ete.  67 

classmates,  if  you  were  kind  enough  to  choose  me, 
there  are  circumstances  which  will  prevent  my  ac- 
ceptance. I  have  in  mind  one,  however,  who  has 
honored  our  class  on  other  occasions,  and  I  would 
like  to  present  his  name  for  your  consideration. 
Four  years  ago  I  formed  the  acquaintance  of  one 
of  the  newcomers,  and  we  became  fast  friends.  Our 
lots  were  cast  together,  and  I  found  him  a  scholar 
worthy  of  confidence  and  esteem.  During  the  last 
year  we  have  not  been  so  intimate,  simply  because 
of  my  financial  condition,  but  our  friendship  has  not 
been  impaired.  If  you  wish  to  honor  me  you  can  do 
so  by  honoring  my  friend,  Charles  Haskell,  as  class 
orator."  Charles  received  a  unanimous  vote.  As 
he  crossed  the  room  to  take  Everett  by  the  hand  and 
thank  him,  the  class  rose  as  one  man  and  cheered 
the  two  fellows.  Tears  trickled  down  Haskell's  face 
as  he  said  in  a  low  voice,  "Everett,  I'm  not  worthy 
of  such  friendship."  "Yes  you  are,  Charles.  God 
bless  you  in  your  efifort." 

On  commencement  day  Everett  sat  on  the  back 
seat,  perfectly  contented.  He  did  not  tell  any  one 
but  President  Habsdorf  why  he  could  not  take  the 
place  as  class  orator.  His  father  and  mother  could 
not  aflford  to  come,  and,  furthermore,  he  was  not 
able  to  invest  in  a  new  suit. 

After  commencement  exercises  were  over,  Everett 
packed  his  trunk  and  was  ready  for  his  journey 
home.  He  was  to  leave  the  next  morning.  That 
night  there  was  a  memorable  prayer  meeting  out  at 
the  edge  of  the  college  town  in  that  first  cottage 
Everett  had  entered.  Six  other  families  had  met  for 
the  last  prayer  meeting  with  this  student  friend. 
Who  will  ever  be  able  to  paint  the  picture  of  that 


68  THE    DIVINE    WRESTLER. 

night  ?  Seven  families,  redeemed  through  his  ef- 
forts, looked  up  into  his  manly  face  and  drank  in 
every  word  of  his  parting  exhortation.  Great  tears 
silently  chased  each  other  down  their  cheeks,  and 
every  heart  was  sending  up  a  silent  prayer. 

As  they  knelt  together  they  were  all  of  one  accord 
in  one  place.  It  was  not  necessary  to  have  a  beauti- 
ful mansion  with  walls  of  jasper  and  streets  of  gold 
to  appreciate  God's  power.  As  the  hundred  and 
forty  and  four  thousand  surrounded  the  throne  of 
God  that  hour,  one  sweet  singer  among  the  saints 
and  angels  sang  with  added  power  and  sweetness, 
"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest." 

As  Everett  left  the  cottage  the  children  clung  to 
him  with  one  hand,  and  with  the  other  rubbed  the 
big  tears  out  of  their  eyes. 

The  president,  the  next  morning,  insisted  on  Ever- 
ett's eating  his  last  meal  with  them.  They  had  fam- 
ily prayer.  The  president,  Mrs.  Habsdorf  and  Ev- 
erett, each  in  turn,  lifted  up  their  voices  to  the  great 
Shepherd  of  the  sheep.  They  ate  breakfast  without 
speaking  a  word.  The  president  and  his  wife,  with 
dimmed  eyes,  watched  him  until  he  disappeared  in 
the  distance.  He  passed  through  the  old  college 
campus  and  stopped  to  take  one  deep  draught  from 
the  old  sulphur  spring. 

He  boarded  the  last  coach  on  the  train  and  was 
ready  for  home.  Either  he  was  unusually  anxious 
or  the  train  was  unusually  slow.  He  moved  up  into 
the  next  coach  in  order  to  be  a  little  nearer  home, 
then  the  next  and  next,  until  finally  he  stood  tremb- 
ling in  the  baggage  car.  At  the  next  stop  he  climbed 
up  into  the  cab  of  the  engine.  "What  do  you  want, 
young    man  ?"    asked    the    big-hearted    engineer. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLBTB.  ^9 

"Well,  I've  been  away  to  college  and  haven't  seen 
my  folks  for  almost  a  year,  and  I'm  too  restless  to 
stay  in  the  coaches.  Can't  I  ride  here?"  The  en- 
gineer thought  of  his  boy,  hurrying  home  from  a 
distant  college,  and  although  it  was  against  the 
rules,  he  motioned  Everett  to  a  seat  in  the  cab 
window. 

Like  a  thing  of  life  that  powerful  locomotive 
leaped  over  the  shining  rails,  across  valleys,  through 
tunnels,  and  around  dangerous  curves.  With  every 
turn  of  the  big  drive  wheels  Everett  became  more 
anxious.  Those  fast  flying  pistons  seemed  with 
each  succeeding  motion  to  pump  him  fuller  and 
fuller  of  restless  anxiety. 

He  pulled  his  cap  down  tight  on  his  head  and 
leaned  out  of  the  cab  window  and  peered  into  the 
distance  to  catch  the  first  glimpse  of  home.  When 
the  engine  swung  into  the  big  depot  it  was  hard  to 
tell  who  was  the  Happier,  Everett  or  his  parents. 
The  big  engineer  watched  them  a  moment  and  then 
turned  and  looked  out  the  opposite  side  of  his  cab. 
As  they  neared  the  little  cottage  home,  Everett  ex- 
pected to  see  Liza,  the  colored  servant,  out  at  the 
gate  with  her  big  heart  in  her  face.  Liza  had  been 
out  at  the  gate,  but  when  she  caught  the  first 
glimpse  of  Everett  her  heart  got  into  her  eyes  an'=' 
she  rushed  back  into  the  house,  stepping  on  the  cat's 
tail  and  upsetting  a  bucket  of  spring  water.  vShe 
was  mopping  up  the  water  as  Everett  came  in,  and 
declared  that  the  water  flew  into  her  eyes,  which  she 
hadn't  had  time  to  wipe. 

In  the  evening  Mrs.  McDonald  took  Everett  into 
Liza's  room  and  showed  him  the  letters  he  had  writ- 
ten home.     Liza  insisted  on  keeping  all  the  letters 


70  THE    DIVINE    WRESTLER. 

that  came  so  promptly  and  thoughtfully  from  him 
while  he  was  in  school. 

Mr.  McDonald  had  not  been  idle  during  Everett's 
absence,  but  he  had  done  all  he  possibly  could  do 
until  he  had  more  money.  He  knew  he  could  be 
thoroughly  vindicated  and  the  blame  placed  if  he 
only  had  the  means. 

Everett  felt  that  he  must  go  to  work  at  once  to 
earn  the  money.  An  unexpected  opportunity  came 
to  go  to  Boston  with  a  carload  of  fine  horses.  After 
considerable  discussion  in  the  McDonald  cottage, 
Everett  decided  to  go.  If  he  could  secure  profitable 
employment  he  would  remain  awhile.  If  not,  he 
would  return  in  a  few  days.  Everett  no  sooner  ar- 
rived in  Boston  than  he  began  to  look  for  work.  He 
went  to  one  of  the  wharfs  and  was  engaged  at  once 
for  $2.50  per  day  for  the  morning  shift  in  loading 
ships.  The  men  were  not  the  kind  Everett  was 
used  to  associating  with,  but  they  were  good-hearted 
if  not  cultured.  They  soon  discovered  that  he  was 
unused  to  manual  labor,  and  played  several  pranks 
on  him.  One  morning  one  stalwart  fellow  said  he 
felt  as  though  he  could  push  any  man's  shoulders  to 
the  floor,  and  started  for  Everett.  Instead  of  run- 
ning, Everett  wheeled  quickly,  and  the  burly  oppon- 
ent found  himself  in  a  grip  of  steel.  Before  he 
could  make  a  creditable  defense  Everett  pitched  him 
upon  his  head  and  shoulders.  The  fellow  took  it 
good-naturedly,  and  all  agreed  that  Everett  was  a 
royal  good  fellow. 

Instead  of  going  to  one  of  the  fine  churches  on 
Sunday,  he  went  through  the  slums,  wondering  how 
he  could  be  of  use  to  the  Master.  He  found  a  Bap- 
tist mission  without  a  leader.     The  Baptist  Society 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  7^ 

had  been  paying  $30  per  month  for  the  work.  Ever- 
ett went  to  see  the  secretary  of  the  society  and  of- 
fered his  services.  He  said  that  he  was  not  a  min- 
ister, but  that  he  knew  how  to  work  with  the  poor. 
He  was  so  earnest  and  anxious  that  the  secretary 
engaged  him  for  one  month.  The  room  where  the 
meetings  were  held  was  not  very  inviting.  Everett 
began  by  scrubbing  the  'floor  and  cleaning  the  win- 
dows. Then  he  asked  for  some  clean  hymn  books 
and  some  new  Bibles.  He  worked  so  faithfully  the 
first  week  that  he  had  a  very  fair  attendance  the 
first  Sunday  evening.  The  crowd  was  very  rough 
and  inclined  to  be  noisy.  One  fellow  was  especially 
troublesome.  He  sat  on  the  front  seat  with  his  hat 
on.  Everett  noticed  that  he  was  chewing  tobacco. 
He  requested  him  to  remove  his  hat  and  also  to  stop 
chewing  while  in  the  room.  "I  guess  I'll  spit  where 
I  please,  young  fellow,  and  I've  a  right  to  wear  my 
hat;  it's  paid  for."  As  the  fellow  was  under  tht 
influence  of  liquor  and  inclined  to  be  ugly,  Everett 
was  in  a  quandary  what  to  do.  When  Everett  an- 
nounced a  hymn,  the  fellow  called  out,  "Say!  an- 
nounce it  a  little  louder,  so  we  can  all  hear."  Ever- 
ett dropped  his  book  on  the  stand  and  started  for  the 
disturber.  He  saw  Everett  coming,  and  struck  at 
him  with  all  his  might.  The  blow  missed  the  mark, 
and  its  force  carried  him  half  way  around.  Everett 
pinned  his  arms  behind  him  and  ejected  him  with 
such  dispatch  that  the  audience  was  completely  sur- 
prised. As  Everett  came  back  from  the  door  he  saw 
another  man  with  his  hat  on.  Everett's  blood  was 
up,  and  he  started  for  him.  The  frightened  wretch 
jumped  over  two  seats  and  out  of  the  door  in  less 
time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it.    After  two  or  three  other 


72  THE    divine;    WRKSTtER. 

such  experiences,  he  had  little  trouble  in  maintaining 
order.  His  reputation  for  handling  the  unruly 
spread  through  the  district  and  served  as  a  good  ad- 
vertising medium  for  the  mission.  At  the  end  of 
the  first  month  he  had  demonstrated  his  ability  for 
such  work,  and  all  anxiety  was  removed  about  the 
future. 

In  the  afternoons  Everett  visited  the  various 
places  of  interest.  One  of  the  first  places  he  visited 
was  Harvard  University.  He  was  anxious  to  take 
some  work  in  the  divinity  school.  He  found  he 
could  get  exactly  what  he  wanted  in  the  afternoon, 
viz.,  Church  History  and  Sociology.  All  arrange- 
ments were  made,  and  on  the  opening  day  he  was 
enrolled  as  a  special  divinity  student. 

The  work  at  the  wharf  in  the  morning,  the  mis- 
sion work  on  Sundays,  and  the  studies  four  after- 
noons each  week  left  him  little  time  for  play.  As 
the  sociology  work  was  through  every  day  at  4 130, 
he  resolved  to  spend  the  following  hour  in  the  gym- 
nasium.   . 

Considerable  freedom  was  allowed  in  the  exer- 
cises. A  man  could  take  systematic  training  or  he 
could  roam  about  as  he  pleased.  A  new  instructor 
in  wrestling  and  boxing  had  been  engaged,  and  the 
most  of  the  students  were  enthusiastically  at  work 
in  the  new  sport.  As  Everett  was  a  newcomer  and 
a  stranger,  he  contented  himself  with  being  an  ob- 
server. Finally,  some  one  invited  him  to  wrestle. 
He  had  no  trouble  in  throwing  his  opponent.  Then 
another  and  another  wanted  to  wrestle  with  him, 
until  he  had  thrown  nine  men. 

The  new  instructor  watched  him  with  consider- 
able interest,   for  he  saw  that  McDonald  was  no 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  73 

novice  in  the  work.  It  amused  him  to  think  the 
students  were  so  slow  to  comprehend  the  fact. 

Finally,  one  of  the  fellows  Everett  had  thrown 
made  up  his  mind  he  would  like  to  put  on  the  gloves 
with  Everett.  Everett  hesitated  a  little,  but  after 
some  urging  slipped  on  the  gloves.  It  was  amusing 
to  see  how  anxious  Everett's  opponent  was  to  land 
on  him,  and  with  what  ease  Everett  side-stepped 
out  of  danger.  After  giving  the  fellow  ample  time 
to  demonstrate  all  he  knew,  Everett  sent  him 
sprawling  under  the  ropes.  Another  student  wanted 
to  put  on  the  gloves,  and  Everett  sent  him  out  after 
a  very  few  passes. 

The  boys  grew  more  anxious  every  day  to  put 
"that  divinity  student"  out,  but  after  three  weeks 
of  the  utmost  endeavor  in  wrestling  and  boxing, 
they  had  to  admit  their  inability  to  do  so. 

At  one  of  the  clubs  one  night,  one  of  the  boys 
said:  "Say,  fellows,  I  have  a  scheme  for  giving 
'that  divinity  student'  a  lesson.  Pat  Dempsey,  one 
of  the  greatest  pugilists  in  this  country,  is  giving 
exhibitions  with  his  trainer  at  one  of  the  theaters  in 
Boston.  He  is  to  fight  for  the  championship  of  the 
world  in  a  few  weeks.  Suppose  we  get  an  inter- 
view with  him,  tell  him  of  McDonald,  induce  him 
to  come  out  to  the  gym.,  play  "freshy,"  get  Mc- 
Donald to  put  on  the  gloves  with  him,  and  then  eat 
him  up." 

The  plan  appealed  to  every  one.  The  next  morn- 
ing they  were  in  consultation  with  the  pugilist  and 
his  trainer.  The  opportunity  seemed  too  good  to 
let  pass,  so  Dempsey  promised  to  be  at  the  gym- 
nasium that  evening.  There  was  considerable 
chuckling  as  they  went  back  to  their  rooms.     The 


74  THE    DIVINE    WRESTI^ER. 

word  was  spread  rapidly  among  those  who  could  be 
trusted  that  Pat  Dempsey,  the  great  pugilist,  was 
coming  out  that  evening  to  take  McDonald's  meas- 
ure. 

When  Everett  came  into  the  gymnasium  that 
night  he  noticed  the  unusual  crowd.  He  began  to 
rxercise  with  the  dumb-bells,  wondering  what  had 
called  out  so  many  students.  The  boys  were  in 
good  humor,  and  with  genuine  college  enthusiasm 
applauded  and  cheered  the  different  fellows  as  they 
wrestled  or  boxed.  Finally  Pat  Dempsey,  in  a  pair 
of  duck  pants  and  a  sleeveless  undershirt,  was 
pushed  into  the  ring  against  one  of  the  best  boxers. 
He  had  to  get  one  of  the  boys  to  show  him  how  to 
fasten  the  mitts.  His  trainer  stepped  into  the  ring, 
similarly  dressed,  and  said  he  would  act  as  referee. 
Dempsey  made  his  opponent  promise  not  to  hit  him 
very  hard.  The  boys  were  wild  with  enthusiasm 
over  his  clever  acting.  He  was  the  personification 
of  awkwardness.  Even  Everett  had  to  laugh  at  the 
way  he  stumbled  around  and  howled  when  he  was 
hit.  Notwithstanding  his  awkwardness,  he  finally 
managed  to  get  the  best  of  his  man.  Then,  as  he 
attempted  to  pull  off  his  gloves,  several  fellows  said, 
"Hold  on,  freshy,  you  must  meet  McDonald." 
Everett  was  pushed  into  the  ring  amid  cheers  and 
applause.  Dempsey  asked  him  not  to  hit  him  hard. 
When  Everett  promised  he  would  not,  the  students 
almost  had  hysterics. 

The  time-keeper  called  time  and  the  two  men 
stepped  to  the  center  of  the  ring  and  shook  hands. 
Everett  had  a  feeling  when  Dempsey  stepped  to  the 
center  that  he  did  not  act  so  awkward  in  the  ring 
as  out  of  it.     He  had  not  been  within  thirty  feet  of 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLBTE.  75 

him  before.  Now  he  saw  that  the  man  was  muscled 
like  a  Trojan  warrior.  He  seemed  to  personify  the 
courage  and  force  of  the  king  of  beasts.  Everett 
saw  his  heavy  features,  his  muscular  development 
and  easy  and  graceful  poise. 

Nor  had  Dempsey  had  a  good  look  at  Everett 
until  that  moment.  Everett  presented  a  striking 
contrast,  indeed.  Dempsey  saw  before  him  the 
finely  molded  features  of  the  student  and  the  grace- 
ful lines  of  a  Grecian  wrestler.  Somehow,  as  he 
looked  into  Everett's  eye  he  made  up  his  mind  not 
to  hurry  matters  too  much.  All  this  passed  through 
the  minds  of  the  two  men  in  a  second.  Everett  at 
once  assumed  the  defensive.  He  saw  before  him 
the  greatest  problem  he  had  ever  faced,  but  did  not 
suspect  who  or  what  the  man  was.  Finally,  Demp- 
sey, through  his  over-confidence,  left  an  opening,  and 
Everett's  left  hand  shot  through  like  a  flash.  This 
roused  Dempsey.  He  decided  to  end  the  matter  at 
once,  but  he  had  not  properly  reckoned  with  his 
opponent. 

The  first  round  ended  with  the  points  in  favor  of 
Everett.  As  Dempsey  retired  to  his  corner  his 
second  said,  "Jack,  better  be  careful.  The  young- 
ster may  get  the  laugh  on  you.  Perhaps  these  stu- 
dents have  tricked  you  up  against  the  real  article. 
Put  him  out  the  next  time  up." 

With  the  second  round  Dempsey,  now  thoroughly 
aroused,  sprang  from  his  corner  like  an  enraged  lion 
and  meant  to  crush  his  opponent  with  brute  force. 
He  rushed  Everett  to  the  ropes  and  tried  to  end  the 
game  with  one  of  his  powerful  left  swings.  Before 
he  could  act  or  think  Everett  side-stepped  out  of  the 
snarl  and  came  up  smiling  in  the  center  of  the  ring. 


76  THE    DIVINE    WRESTLER. 

r.affled,  astonished,  perplexed,  he  turned  and  rushed 
again.  This  time  lie  was  more  astonished  than  be- 
fore, for  the  young  fellow  met  him  more  than  half 
way  and  drove  him  backward  to  the  ropes.  The 
end  of  the  second  round  came  just  in  time  to  save 
him  from  lasting  mortification. 

The  next  round  both  men  came  more  cautiously  to 
the  center.  Dempsey,  with  his  great  bulk  of  muscle, 
sinevv^  and  bone,  swung  and  lunged  and  jabbed  in 
vain  at  his  wary  foe.  The  trainer  saw  in  the  young 
man  the  greatest  combination  of  strength  and  clever- 
ness and  aggressiveness  he  had  ever  seen  in  the 
ring.  As  he  watched  Everett's  cunning  and  speed 
and  generalship  he  was  all  the  more  astonished  at 
the  divinity  student.  Round  after  round  was  reeled 
oflf,  with  Everett  more  and  more  demonstrating  the 
superiority  of  cleverness  over  brute  force.  Like  a 
phantom  he  floated  before  his  antagonist,  touching 
him  as  he  pleased.  At  last  the  referee  said  he 
guessed  he  would  have  to  let  the  boys  meet  again 
to  decide  their  superiority.  The  college  boys  could 
scarcely  believe  their  senses.  They  said  that  Demp- 
sey surely  didn't  do  his  best.  At  least  they  had 
seen  a  very  clever  exhibition  of  friendly  boxing. 
Dempsey  and  his  trainer  knew,  however,  that  the 
best  had  been  given  and  walked  out  of  the  gym- 
nasium bewildered.  Dempsey's  backer  had  been 
the  most  interested  spectator  present.  He  had  seen 
many  real  contests,  but  he  had  never  seen  so  bril- 
liant an  exhibition  of  strength  and  skill  as  young 
McDonald  displayed. 

He  had  all  along  had  some  doubt  about  Demp- 
sey winning  the  belt  from  the  champion  that  now 
held  it.     But  he  was  the  most  likely  man  and  he 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHI.ETE.  77 

had  been  backing  him.  As  he  watched  young  Mc- 
Donald he  saw  a  new  star  in  the  pugiHstic  world 
and  he  hadn't  the  slightest  doubt  about  his  winning 
the  belt.  He  noticed  that  McDonald  several  times 
refused  to  put  his  opponent  out  when  he  had  the 
chance.  As  Everett  went  out  of  the  gymnasium 
that  night  he  was  accosted  and  congratulated  by 
Mr.  Kent,  the  backer.  He  went  with  Everett  to 
his  room  and  told  him  frankly  with  whom  he  had 
been  boxing.  Everett  could  not  believe  him  at 
first.  It  frightened  him  to  think  he  had  faced  so 
famous  a  boxer. 

Mr.  Kent  was  not  long  in  reaching  what  was  up- 
permost in  his  mind.  As  he  unfolded  his  plan 
Everett  could  hardly  realize  that  he  was  talking  with 
one  of  the  greatest  followers  of  the  ring  and  that 
he  was  being  asked  to  enter  the  ring  to  battle  for 
money  and  pugilistic  honor.  At  first  Everett  re- 
fused to  consider  any  such  a  proposition,  but  Mr. 
Kent  was  shrewd  and  determined.  He  finally  made 
Everett  the  following  proposition:  If  he  would 
take  one  month's  training  and  fight  for  the  cham- 
pionship of  the  world  against  the  present  holder 
of  the  belt  he  should  receive  $25,000;  $10,000 
should  be  paid  the  moment  Everett  signed  the 
contract.  Then  on  the  night  of  the  contest,  before 
he  entered  the  ring,  he  should  receive  the  remaining 
$15,000.  Mr.  Kent  would  bear  all  expense  of  train- 
ing and  would  take  care  of  all  other  matters.  To 
emphasize  what  he  said  he  pulled  out  his  wallet 
and  counted  out  $500  in  cash  and  said  'T  will  give 
you  that  to  consider  the  proposition  seriously  until 
next  week  at  this  time." 

"I    will    consider    the    matter,    Mr.    Kent,"    said 
Everett,  "but  I  do  not  like  to  take  this  money." 


78  The  divine  wrestler. 

"Never  mind,  McDonald,  the  money  is  yours.  I 
want  you  to  look  up  my  standing  and  I  will  place 
a  $10,000  check  at  your  disposal  in  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Boston  and  you  may  find  out  whether 
or  not  the  check  is  good." 

Everett  McDonald  did  not  sleep  that  night.  It 
seemed  too  much  like  a  dream  or  a  nightmare. 
He  counted  over  the  $500  several  times.  The  next 
day  he  went  to  the  bank  and  found  a  check  of 
$10,000  waiting  for  him  if  he  would  sign  the 
contract.  He  thought  of  how  he  could  vindicate 
his  father's  honor  with  less  than  half  that  amount. 
He  could  buy  them  a  home  and  make  them  com- 
fortable the  balance  of  their  days.  Then,  too,  he 
thought  of  Helen  Day  and  how  her  father  opposed 
him  because  he  was  poor.  He  was  absolutely  sure 
of  the  money  if  he  would  only  fight.  The  offer 
was  not  made  on  the  condition  that  he  should  win. 
But  the  question  kept  coming  up  before  him, 
"Ought  I  to  do  it?"  He  know  how  bitterly  his 
father  was  opposed  to  prize  fighting.  He  knew 
how  his  old  minister,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carter,  had 
condemned  such  encounters.  But  surely  it  was  n<f>* 
as  bad  as  the  act  of  the  man  who  had  defrauded 
his  father  and  ruined  their  home.  It  was  not  steal- 
ing. It  was  not  gambling.  It  was  sure  pay  for 
so  much  of  his  time  and  skill.  He  did  not  need  to 
fight  another  battle.  He  did  not  have  to  associate 
with  the  followers  of  the  ring.  Still  the  question 
kept  coming  up  before  him :  what  will  father  and 
mother  say ;  what  will  Rev.  Dr.  Carter  say ;  what 
will  Helen  say?  In  the  midst  of  one  of  his  reveries 
Mr.  Kent  entered  and  Everett  spoke  frankly  to 
'lim  about  the  matter. 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  79 

"O,"  said  Mr.  Kent,  "if  that  is  all  that  is 
troubHng  you  we  can  easily  fix  that.  You  can  fight 
under  an  assumed  name ;  many  boxers  do  that.  As 
fr>r  your  picture,  I  have  several  pictures  that  look 
nearly  like  you  and  we  can  have  all  cuts  made  from 
them/' 

As  Mr.  Kent  left  he  said  that  all  he  asked  was 
f.hat  Everett  should  give  the  full  week  to  his  de- 
cision, unless  he  reached  a  favorable  conclusion  be- 
fore  that   time. 

Everett  fought  and  struggled  all  through  the 
week  and  the  last  day  for  the  decision  arrived. 
All  through  the  day  and  into  the  night  lasted  that 
most  intense  struggle  of  his  life.  His  immortal 
soul  was  wrestling  with  a  supreme  temptation.  All 
other  interests  were  forgotten  as  the  mightiesit 
forces  for  good  and  evil  surrounded  that  struggling 
gladiator.  The  cloud  of  invisible  witnesses  forgot 
about  great  orators  battling  in  the  forum  for  the 
supremacy  of  certain  ideas.  The  exciting  contest 
of  two  great  national  parties  contesting  for  every 
precinct  and  ward  and  county  and  state  was  forgot- 
ten. Even  the  two  great  nations  with  their  floating 
forts  of  steel  grappling  in  a  life  and  death  engage- 
ment were  as  nothing  compared  to  the  contest  of  this 
young  man  upon  his  knees  halting  between  good 
and  evil,  between  right  and  wrong.  Satan  and  all 
his  hosts  of  evil  angels  stand  on  one  side  with  un- 
utterable anxiety.  That  mighty  host  of  wickedness 
attempts  to  rush  into  the  arena  and  bear  Everett 
McDonald  away  on  their  shoulders,  but  God's 
mighty  arm  holds  them  back  and  says  that  the 
young  man   shall  have  a  fair  chance. 

Everett   sees   that   evil   host,   but   they   have   as- 


8o  thb;  divine  wukstler. 

sumed  a  pleasing  form.  He  hears  them  send  up 
cheer  after  cheer  for  his  skill  and  sees  them  push- 
ing great  bundles  of  money  into  his  hands,  his 
pockets  and  his  valise.  They  show  him  a  beautful 
home  again,  they  show  him  the  real  robber  of  the 
Savings  Bank,  they  offer  him  the  fulfillment  of  all 
of  his  fondest  dreams. 

As  he  looks  upon  the  opposite  side  he  sees  an- 
other great  multitude.  There  are  all  the  prophets 
and  martyrs  and  holy  men  of  old  bending  eagerly 
forward.  He  hears  the  voice  of  his  college  pres- 
ident. He  sees  the  trembling  lips  of  his  old  pastor. 
He  hears  Helen  Day  again  pledge  with  him  a  life 
of  sacrifice  and  service.  He  sees  the  pained  look 
on  the  faces  of  his  father  and  mother.  Yes,  and 
more,  he  hears  his  sainted  sister  Hester  sobbing 
for  fear  he  will  play  a  dishonorable  part.  Notwith- 
standing all  this  he  is  almost  ready  to  reach  out 
and  take  the  proffered  wealth.  As  he  does  so  he 
looks  up  once  more  and  draws  back  his  hand.  It 
is  not  the  face  or  voice  of  Dr.  Habsdorf,  nor  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Carter,  nor  Helen  Day,  nor  father  or 
mother,  nor  his  sister  Hester.  O,  no !  nor  the 
radiant  and  triumphant  faces  of  Abraham  nor 
Moses  nor   Paul. 

He  sees  another  face,  he  hears  another  voice,  he 
feels  another  influence.  O,  if  he  had  only  looked 
into  that  face  in  the  beginning;  if  he  had  only  re- 
nembered  the  promise  he  had  given  Him  that  night 
in  the  president's  home ;  if  he  had  only  asked  in 
the  beginning  for  the  mind  of  that  one  who  was  the 
fairest  among  ten  thousand  to  his  soul,  how  soon 
he  could  have  decided.  Once  more  his  tear-stained 
cheek  rested  on  the  open  pages  of  his  sister  Hes- 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHI,ETE.  8i 

ter's  Bible  and  once  more  he  said,  "I  will."  He 
leaped  to  his  feet  with  the  wildest  joy  he  had  ever 
known  tugging  at  his  heart.  He  sent  the  $500.00 
and  his  decision  to  the  man  who  had  for  a  moment 
come  between  him  and  his  risen  Savior,  and  went 
out  in  his  poverty  rejoicing  with  the  angels. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


AN   UNSEEN  GUIDE. 


"And  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  knew 
not." 

When  Rufus  went  to  call  Helen  he  found  her 
kneeling  under  the  olive  trees  in  prayer.  The  col- 
ored servant's  trip  abroad  was  a  continual  revela-, 
tion  to  him.  What  impressed  him  most,  however, 
was  the  deep  consecration  of  this  girl.  She  had 
talked  to  him  from  her  childhood  of  fine  houses, 
fast  horses  and  fancy  gowns.  Now  she  never  men- 
tioned those  things.  Her  constant  thought  was  for 
the  poor. 

As  he  stood  there  and  gazed  upon  her  beautiful 
face  upturned  in  prayer,  he  himself  could  not  help 
having  an  unutterable  sympathy  with  her  in  her 
consecration.     He   did  not  speak  to  her. 

Mrs.  Day  becoming  impatient  went  to  look  for 
Rufus  and  Helen.  As  she  came  in  sight  of  them 
she,  too,  halted,  stood  for  a  moment  and  then  re- 
treated with  a  feeling  of  deepest  satisfaction. 

The  three  walked  silently  back  to  the  hotel  and 
were  soon  making  ready  to  return  to  America.  The 
trip  home  was  interesting,  but  uneventful.  Capt 
Day  met  them  in  New  York  and  it  was  a  happy 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  83 

meeting  indeed.  Capt.  Day  had  made  a  great  ef- 
fort to  have  the  old  home  beautiful  and  attractive. 
The  main  hallway  was  banked  with  palms  and  ferns. 
Every  room  was  filled  with  flowers.  Helen's  room 
was  festooned  in  chrysanthemums.  As  they  sat 
down  at  their  own  table  that  evening  Helen  said  "It 
does  seem  so  good  to  be  home  once  more !" 

€apl.  Day  acknowledged  that  he  had  been  very 
lonely  during  their  absence.  After  supper  Helen 
played  and  sang  for  her  father.  Rufus  possessed 
an  unusually  melodious  voice  and  he  was  called 
upon  for  his  share  in  that  delightful  evening.  The 
fire  in  the  big  open  grate  blazed  out  its  warmth 
and  cheer.  The  large  St.  Bernard  dog  Prince, 
Helen's  pet,  stretched  his  paws  at  length  on  the  rug 
and  watched  every  move  out  of  the  corners  of  his 
eyes.     It  was  almost  midnight  before  they  retired. 

The  next  morning  when  they  sat  down  to  break- 
fast it  was  fully  ten  o'clock.  A  light  lunch  was 
served  at  i  o'clock.  Helen  was  a  little  fatigued 
from  her  journey,  so  she  slept  after  lunch  until 
3  o'clock.  Then  she  donned  her  neat  traveling 
suit,  as  their  trunks  had  not  yet  arrived,  and  was 
ready  for  the  evening  dinner.  Before  going  down 
stairs  she  wrote  a  letter  to  Everett  McDonald.  As 
she  came  down  stairs  she  said,  "I  guess  I  will  go 
out  for  a  little  walk  to  the  postoffice ;  I  will  not  be 
gone  long." 

"Let  Rufus  mail  your  letters,  Helen,"  said  Capt. 
Day. 

"O,  I'll  not  trouble  him,"  said  Helen;  "besides, 
I  want  the  walk." 

"Who  have  you  written  to,  Helen,"  asked  her 
father.     Helen's  face  flushed  a  little  as  she  said, 


84  AN    UNSEEN    GUIDE. 

"I  have  written  a  note  to  Mr.  McDonald.    I  haven't 
heard   from   him   since   we   went   abroad." 

Capt.  Day  flew  into  an  uncontrollable  rage  and 
thundered :  "Didn't  I  warn  you  against  that  fel- 
low? You  shall  not  write  to  him.  Give  me  that 
letter !" 

Mrs.  Day  had  been  dreading  such  a  crisis.  She 
had  decided  with  her  husband  that  it  would  be  best 
for  Helen  not  to  continue  her  correspondence  with 
the  young  man.  Still,  if  Helen  had  not  forgotten 
him  after  her  trip  abroad  with  no  news  from  him 
during  all  that  time,  she  questioned  the  wisdom  of 
opposing  her. 

Capt.  Day  stepped  forward  and  with  outstretched 
hand  said,  ''Give  me  that  letter !" 

Helen  had  never  opposed  her  father  in  her  life. 
She  had  followed  with  a  daughter's  true  devotion 
his  every  wish  from  her  childhood.  Now,  however, 
when  her  father  assumed  that  angry,  imperious  and 
indefensible  attitude  toward  her  every  drop  of  her 
Puritan  blood  tingled  with  resentment. 

She  did  not  tremble,  she  did  not  grow  faint, 
she  did  not  manifest  the  least  nervousness.  Draw- 
ing herself  up  to  her  full  height  she  said  with  a 
firm,  clear  voice :  "Father,  you  do  not  understand 
me.  You  do  not  know  nor  understand  Everett 
McDonald.  He  is  one  of  the  noblest  young  men  I 
have  ever  known.  I  love  him  and  he  loves  me 
and  I'm  going  to  send  this  letter." 

Capt.  Day  was  every  inch  a  soldier.  His  com- 
mand was  law.  No  one  had  ever  before  dared 
to  oppose  his  fierce  imperious  will.  Now  as  Helen 
drew  herself  up  to  her  full  height  and  with  flash- 
ing eyes,   said,   "I   am  going  to  send  this  letter," 

52 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  85 

his  anger  got  control  of  his  better  nature  and  he 
said  vehemently:  "Helen,  either  give  me  that  let- 
ter and  renounce  Everett  McDonald,  or  leave  this 
home  forever." 

"I  will  not  renounce  Everett  McDonald  and  I'm 
going  to  send  this  letter,"  said  the  pale,  determined 
girl. 

"O,  husband,  husband!"  cried  Mrs.  Day,  fling- 
ing herself  at  his  feet.  "Do  not  drive  our  only  child 
away  from  home." 

"For  de  good  Lord's  sake,  Cap'n,  don't  use  Miss 
Helen  dat  way." 

Capt.  Day  tore  his  wife's  arms  loose,  struck  the 
darky  a  crushing  blow,  and  opening  the  door  or- 
dered Helen  out,  saying,  "Never  darken  this  door 
again."  As  Helen  walked  out  he  slammed  the  door 
after  her.  Rufus  hurried  out  of  the  house  with 
mingled    feelings   of    fear   and   rage. 

Mrs.  Day  fainted  and  had  to  be  carried  to  her 
room.  When  she  regained  consciousness  the  awful- 
ness  of  the  situation  dawned  upon  her.  She  re- 
fused to  be  comforted  and  would  have  gone  out  in 
search  of  her  daughter  if  her  husband  had  allowed 
her.  At  last  she  sank  into  a  rocker  and  with 
broken  voice  called  piteously,  "O,  Helen,  Helen, 
Helen,  my  darling,  my  darling.  Come  back,  come 
back.  Husband,  husband,  what  have  you  done? 
O,  God,  protect  my  precious  child." 

"Never  mind,"  said  the  stern  captain,  "she  will 
come  back  soon  enough,  and  of  her  own  accord.  If 
she  returns  and  promises  to  obey  me,  I  will  take 
her  in — not  before." 

As  the  night  began  to  deepen  the  muttering  of  a 
distant  storm  was  heard.     Blinding  flashes  of  light- 


86  AN    UNSEEN    GUIDE. 

ning  were  followed  by  the  awful  roar  of  thunder. 
Then  came  the  drenching  rain.  The  wild  wailings 
of  the  wind,  the  steady  downpour  of  rain,  the  vivid 
flashes  of  lightning,  and  the  terrific  peals  of  thunder 
only  added  to  the  anguish  of  a  parent's  heart  and 
brain. 

Was  Helen  in  some  good  resting  place,  or  was 
she   wandering  distracted   in   that  blinding  storm? 

Mrs.  Day  plead  in  vain  for  her  husband  to  go 
in  search  of  the  homeless  girl.  She  sat  in  her 
chair  all  night  and  rocked  and  moaned  with  the 
wind.  O !  that  long,  long  night  of  anguish.  The 
titorm  ceased  with  the  day  dawn. 

Capt.  Day  had  not  slept  during  the  night.  Two 
or  three  times  he  raised  upon  his  elbow  and  listened 
to  hear  if  Helen  was  not  knocking  timidly,  but 
it  was  only  the  branches  of  the  great  oak  rubbing 
against  the  house  in  the  fierce  storm. 

In  the  morning  he  was  still  not  quite  willing  to 
admit  that  he  had  been  too  hasty  or  was  at  fault, 
but  he  was  not  so  sure  that  he  had  acted  wisely  in 
the  matter.  Perhaps  he  had  been  a  little  hasty, 
but  then  Helen  needed  to  know  that  his  word  was 
law. 

After  an  unsuccessful  attempt  at  eating  break- 
fast he  said,  "Well,  wife,  I  guess  I'll  have  Rufus 
hitch  up  and  I'll  drive  down  to  some  of  the  hotels 
and  see  if  Helen  is  stopping  in  one  of  them.  If 
she  is  willing  to  change  her  decision  I  will  bring 
her  home." 

A  look  of  deepest  joy  came  over  Mrs.  Day's  face 
at  this  decision,  and  she  said,  "O,  husband,  do 
bring  her  home,  for  I  cannot  live  this  way." 

Capt.   Day   went   out   to   the    barn    and    called : 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  87 

"Rufus.  hitch  up  the  horse  to  the  runabout."  But 
no  response  came  from  Rufus.  "Rufus,  you  black 
rascal,    get    up." 

"He's  sulking,"  said  the  captain  to  himself.  "I'll 
show  that  sentimental  brute  how  to  sulk,"  and 
seizing  a  large  strap,  he  bounded  up  the  steps 
three  at  a  time.  He  kicked  the  door  to  Rufus' 
room  open  and  stood  ready  with  the  uplifted  strap. 
He  slowly  lowered  the  strap,  for  the  room  was 
empty.  Rufus  had  not  slept  there  that  night.  The 
captain  was  white  with  rage  as  he  slowly  descended 
the  steps  and  hitched  the  horse  to  the  carriage.  The 
dog  Prince  had  gone  also.  "I'd  like  to  get  hold  of 
that  sulking  negro  for  about  two  minutes,"  thought 
the  baffled  man  as  he  drove  out  into  the  street. 

Mrs.  Day  sat  in  the  bay  window  with  her  pale 
face  pressed  against  the  pane  and  gazed  long  and 
anxiously  in  the  direction  her  husband  had  gone. 
He  returned  late  in  the  afternoon,  but  without 
Helen.  A  careful  canvass  of  all  the  hotels  in  the 
city  had  not  revealed  her  whereabouts.  Advertise- 
ments were  put  in  the  papers,  a  reward  was  offered, 
detectives  were  at  work,  but  at  last  it  was  agreed 
that  the  missing  girl  was  not  in   Columbus. 

A  night  watchman  had  seen  a  young  lady  with  a 
large  dog  going  down  High  street  toward  the  Un- 
ion Depot,  but  no  one  had  noticed  a  young  lady 
with  a  large  dog  in  the  depot.  Days,  a  week,  two 
weeks  passed  by  and  no  news  from  the  missing 
girl. 

The  Day  homestead  on  Broad  Street  was  closed 
and  a  grief-stricken  mother,  and  a  father  roused 
at  last  to  a  consuming  anxiety,  started  out  into  the 
too  big  world  to  find  their  exiled  daughter.     They 


88  AN     UNSEEN    GUIDE 

went  to  Chicaj^o,  but  they  soon  found  that  they 
had  very  different  ideas  about  searching  for  Helen. 
After  much  deHberation  they  resolved  to  divide 
their  work.  Capt.  Day  was  to  remain  in  Chicago 
a  little  longer  and  then  travel  westward,  while  Mrs. 
Day  turned  her  face  toward  the  East. 

Captain  Day  was  a  thorough  soldier.  He  had 
spent  the  most  of  his  life  in  commanding  on  the 
tented  field.  When  he  began  the  search  for  his 
daughter  it  was  natural  that  he  should  try  to  find 
her  through  the  service  of  others.  After  his  good 
wife  started  East  he  began  to  work  upon  his  own 
theories.  He  secured  a  suite  of  rooms  in  a  private 
house,  then  advertised  in  the  daily  papers  for  a 
negro  servant.  He  gave  minute  particulars  in  re- 
gard to  the  experience  needed,  expecting  Rufus  to 
respond  if  he  were  in  Chicago.  As  he  read  the 
advertisement  in  the  several  papers  he  chuckled  to 
himself,  "If  Rufus  is  in  this  city  he  will  surely  be 
looking  for  work.  When  ne  sees  this  call  he  will 
drop  everything  at  once.  When  I  get  my  hands 
on  that  black  rascal  I'll  thrash  him  until  he  tells 
me  where  Helen  is.  The  brute,  just  wait  till  I  get 
him." 

Although  Rufus  did  not  see  the  notice  many 
other  negroes  did.  All  day  long  the  anxious  fel- 
lows knocked  at  the  Captain's  door.  At  first  he 
was  amused,  but  as  the  day  wore  on  and  Rufus 
did  not  appear  he  grew  sick  and  tired  of  black 
faces.  He  treated  them  rather  discourteously.  Fin- 
ally one  big  fellow   came   to  the   door. 

"What  do  you  want?"  gruffly  asked  the  captain. 

"I  saw  your  ad.  in  the  mornin'  paper  and  I'd  be 
glad  to  serve  you,  mistar." 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  89 

"I  suppose  you've  had  plenty  of  experience  like 
all  the  rest  of  your  kind.  No,  I  don't  want  a  nigger 
at  any  price.     Get  out !" 

"I'll  git  out,  mistar,  but  when  I  see  an  ad.  in  the 
paper  like  you  put  in,  I  s'pose  a  gentleman  put  it 
in." 

Capt.  Day  instinctively  reached  for  his  sword  at 
his  side,  but  his  hand  dropped  limp,  for  the  sword 
had  been  laid  aside.  As  the  large  negro  passed 
out  upon  the  street  the  conviction  came  strongly 
upon  him  that  he  was  now  only  an  unknown  soldier 
in  citizen's  clothes,  and  that  he  must  meet  exigen- 
cies as  a  common  man. 

Several  days  passed  by,  but  Rufus  did  not  appear. 
Then  the  thought  occurred  to  him  to  advertise  for  a 
St.  Bernard  dog.  Accordingly  he  advertised  in  the 
papers  and  gave  as  requirements  an  exact  descrip- 
tion of  Prince.  The  paper  was  not  out  many  hours 
before  St.  Bernard  dogs  began  to  arrive.  He  eag- 
erly watched  out  of  the  curtained  window  as  differ- 
ent dogs  were  brought  to  the  house  Small  boys  in 
the  neighborhood  soon  discovered  the  procession 
and  gathered  on  the  sidewalk.  The  yelling  of  the 
boys  and  the  barking  of  the  dogs  made  Captain  Day 
almost  wish  he  hadn't  advertised. 

The  landlady,  a  nervous  person,  stood  the  annoy- 
ance as  long  as  possible.  Just  as  she  was  starting  to 
inform  her  new  lodger  that  hf  must  stop  such  work 
or  leave  the  house,  two  big  dogs,  led  by  small  boys, 
got  into  a  fight  in  the  front  yard.  As  the  fight  pro- 
gressed three  other  dogs  joined  in  the  fray  and 
fought  backv;ard  and  forward  over  rose  bushes, 
shrubs  and  rare  plants,  destroying  everything. 
Wagons  of  every  descrif  lion — grocery,  milk,  garb- 


90  AN    UNSEEN    GUIDE. 

age,  wreckage — blockaded  the  street.  Heads 
popped  out  of  neighboring  windows.  One  wag  sent 
in  a  fire  alarm.  The  landlady  had  hysterics  and  de- 
clared she  was  ruined  by  such  a  disgraceful  affair. 
Captain  Day's  mortification  was  complete  when  two 
burly  policemen  entered  his  room  and  demanded  an 
explanation.  He  was  only  too  glad  to  pay  the  dam- 
ages and  move  to  another  part  of  the  city. 

The  next  morning  he  eagerly  scanned  the  papers 
to  see  if  there  was  anything  in  print  about  his  un- 
fortunate advertisement.  He  felt  considerable  relief 
at  finding  no  mention  of  the  affair.  As  he  was  about 
to  throw  aside  one  of  the  papers  he  chanced  to  see 
the  advertisement  of  a  detective  agency.  He  read 
the  advertisement  over  several  times.  The  agency 
seemed  to  be  just  what  he  wanted — even  mentioned 
"capturing  runaways"  as  a  specialty.  He  was  soon 
at  the  place  mentioned.  One  of  the  detectives  an- 
swered his  ring. 

Captain  Day  was  informed  that  the  men  in  the 
employ  of  the  agency  were  very  busy  and  it  was 
doubtful  if  any  man  could  be  spared.  Finally,  the 
speaker  decided  he  himself  could  work  on  the  case. 
He  charged  $50  per  day,  payable  each  morning  in 
advance.  Captain  Day  paid  the  first  $50  and  went 
out  feeling  greatly  elated  over  securing  the  services 
of  the  man  who  managed  the  secret  service  agency. 
The  second  day  the  detective  returned  toward  even- 
ing and  informed  Captain  Day  that  he  had  struck  a 
very  important  clew  to  the  missing  girl's  where- 
abouts, but  that  he  must  have  at  least  $100  before 
he  could  go  further.  Captain  Day  paid  the  money 
with  a  great  deal  of  reluctance.  As  the  detective 
left  the  room  Captain  Day  was  so  suspicious  that  he 


The  christian  athlete.  91 

resolved  to  follow  the  man.  He  shadowed  him  for 
a  few  blocks  and  saw  him  enter  a  saloon.  Stepping 
up  near  the  screen  door,  he  heard  the  detective  say : 
''Come  on,  boys ;  have  one  on  me.  I've  struck  a  gold 
mine.  An  old  fool  down  town  wants  me  to  find  his 
daughter.  He  has  plenty  of  rocks,  and  I'm  going 
to  get  them." 

"But  I'll  not  be  fooled  again."  said  the  Captain  to 
himself,  as  he  hurried  back  to  his  room.  He  changed 
his  room  to  another  street  in  order  to  be  free  from 
the  rascal  calling  himself  a  detective. 

Captain  Day  began  to  realize  that  if  he  found  his 
daughter  he  must  do  so  alone  and  unaided.  He 
now  began  the  search  in  his  own  strength.  Day 
after  day  he  eagerly  scanned  people  in  market  places, 
ball  rooms  and  theaters,  but  not  once  did  he  see  a 
familiar  face. 

One  evening  as  he  was  returning  to  his  room, 
discouraged  and  almost  ready  to  abandon  further 
effort,  he  remembered  what  his  wife  had  told  him  in 
regard  to  Helen's  interest  in  the  poor  while  she  was 
abroad.  Perhaps  she  was  working  among  the  poor 
and  degraded.  That  night  he  began  searching  in 
the  slums.  He  had  never  dreamed  that  people  could 
sink  so  low  in  degradation.  What  surprised  him 
even  more  was  their  evident  satisfaction  with  such  a 
lot.  Night  after  night  he  traveled  through  the  sub- 
merged portion  of  the  city,  visiting  mission  stations, 
Salvation  Army  tents,  and  small  chapels.  The  one 
face  he  wanted  to  see  was  nowhere  present. 

One  Sunday  morning,  as  he  was  traveling  aim- 
lessly about  and  almost  ready  to  sink  with  exhaus- 
tion, he  saw  a  very  respectable-looking  church.  He 
almost  hated  churches,  because  he  felt  that  religious 


92  AN    UNSEEN    GUIDE. 

sentimentalism  had  caused  his  daughter  to  turn 
against  him.  As  the  soft  strains  of  music  floated  out 
on  the  still,  clear  air,  a  strange  longing  came  to  him 
to  go  in  and  find  rest.  Weary,  footsore,  heavy- 
laden,  he  walked  into  the  beautiful  church  just  as 
the  organist  finished  playing  the  prelude.  He  sank 
down  in  a  back  pew  and  rested  his  aching  head  on 
his  hand.  The  choir  sang  something.  After  listen- 
ing for  awhile,  he  muttered  to  himself,  "Why  don't 
they  sing  something  one  can  understand."  The  min- 
ister hurried  and  stumbled  over  the  Scripture  lesson 
and  offered  a  cold,  intellectual  prayer  about  resur- 
rection. Captain  Day  shifted  restlessly  as  the  min- 
ister began  preaching  in  a  vague  way  about  "The 
Sleep  of  the  Dead.''  When  an  old  familiar  hymn 
was  announced  and  sung  to  a  most  difficult  new  tune 
he  could  stand  it  no  longer.  He  threw  down  the 
book  and  left  the  church  with  an  oath  upon  his  lips. 

Out  upon  the  quiet  streets  the  thought  came, 
"Why  don't  I  leave  this  city?"  He  debated  the 
question  as  he  walked  slowly  along.  Unconsciously 
he  was  nearing  the  Dearborn  station.  As  he  walked 
into  the  station  he  saw  large  posters  advertising  spe- 
cial rates  to  Southern  California.  After  a  few  in- 
quiries of  the  ticket  agent  he  decided  to  go  to  Los 
Angeles.  He  made  this  decision  not  because  he  had 
hopes  of  fining  Helen  there,  but  because  he  wanted 
to  get  away  from  vexations  and  troubles. 

The  next  night  at  lo  o'clock  he  boarded  the  over- 
land train  for  the  City  of  the  Angels.  After  almost 
a  week  of  constant  travel  the  faithful  train  glided 
into  the  La  Grande  station  of  that  far  western  city. 
Captain  Day  was  astonished  at  the  beauty  and 
wealth  of  the  city  and  at  the  culture  and  refinement 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE-  93 

of  the  people.  But  the  broken-hearted  man  cared 
little  for  the  matchless  surroundings.  The  Sabl)ath 
day  dawned  before  he  had  a  chance  to  search  much 
for  Helen.  The  day  was  not  observed  exactly  as  he 
had  expected.  There  were  great  crowds  bent  on 
pleasure,  hurrying  to  various  beaches.  Several  sa- 
loons were  openly  selling  liquor.  Theaters  were 
crowded  to  the  doors.  Many  places  of  business 
were  not  closed.  In  some  parts  of  the  city  men  were 
even  building  houses. 

While  he  was  observing  all  these  things  the  hours 
kept  slipping  rapidly  by,  and  before  he  was  aware 
of  it  the  shadows  of  evening  came  stealing  over  the 
snow-clad  mountains  into  the  orange-scented  val- 
leys. As  the  sun  gradually  sank  into  the  great  ocean 
beyond  the  city,  the  moon  and  countless  numbers  of 
stars  swung  slowly  into  view.  The  great  towering 
electric  lights  seemed  almost  unnecessary  in  that 
golden  evening  weather.  Sauntering  along  palm- 
girt  avenues  he  came  to  one  of  the  large  churches, 
but  was  informed  by  the  sexton  that  there  was  to 
be  no  evening  service.  As  he  reached  another  house 
of  worship  he  met  a  few  people  coming  out  and  was 
told  that  the  vesper  service  was  over.  Not  far  away 
he  found  another  church  well  filled  with  respectable 
looking  people.  The  minister  was  preaching  about 
his  work  and  his  church  and  his  denomination. 
Again  the  man,  hungering  and  thirsting,  turned 
away  from  church  life,  disgusted  with  its  selfish- 
ness, its  shallowness,  its  coldness,  its  forms  and 
empty  show. 

A  few  days  in  Los  Angeles  convinced  him  that 
Helen  was  not  there.  He  decided  that  after  visit- 
ing a  few  surrounding  villages  he  would  go  to  San 
Francisco. 


94  AN    UNSEEN    GUIDE. 

Several  more  days  passed  by,  with  no  trace  of 
Helen,  and  another  Sabbath  was  drawmg  to  its 
close.  He  stood  in  the  gathering  shadows  of  a  little 
village,  debating  whether  "to  be  or  not  to  be."  In 
his  sorrow  and  anguish  he  looked  upward  to  the 
stars  and  wished  he  could  find  rest.  He  started  to 
walk  out  into  the  deep  shadows,  when  a  gentleman 
accosted  him  and  asked  him  to  go  to  church.  "No, 
thank  you,"  said  the  Captain ;   "not  tonight." 

As  the  stranger  passed  on,  Captain  Day  changed 
his  mind.  "It's  the  first  time  I've  been  invited  to  a 
church.  I'll  go  just  once  more.  If  I  find  no  help 
then  no  more  church  for  me." 

Walking  in  the  direction  the  stranger  had  gone, 
he  came  upon  a  little  Methodist  church.  It  was  com- 
fortably filled.  The  first  hymn  was  "What  a  friend 
we  have  in  Jesus."  A  kind-faced  old  lady  handed 
him  a  hymn-book.  As  Captain  Day  followed  the 
words  he  said  to  himself,  "I  wonder  if  the  song  is 
really  true.  A  friend  to  bear  sins  and  griefs.  Helps 
in  trials  and  temptations.  Never  discouraged." 
Thus  musing  along,  he  unconsciously  joined  with 
the  congregation  in  singing: 

"Are  we  weak  and  heavy  laden, 
Cumbered  with  a  load  of  care? 
Precious  Savior,  still  our  refuge — 
Take  it  to  the  Lord  in  prayer." 

The  minister  was  an  old  man  but  seemed  to  be  in 
the  vigor  of  youth.  He  was  no  longer  acceptable  in 
large  churches,  because  they  said  he  wasn't  up-to- 
date  and  couldn't  preach  for  the  times.  The  way  in 
which  he  opened  the  sacred  book,  his  unaffected 
manner  in  reading  the  Scripture  lesson,  and  his 
simple  yet  powerful  prayer  won  Captain  Day's  re- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  95 

spect.  The  sermon  was  a  plain,  forceful,  powerful, 
overwhelming  presentation  of  the  inspired  invita- 
tion, "Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy 
laden  and  I  will  give  you  rest."  As  the  minister 
closed  with  an  earnest  appeal  for  immediate,  manly 
decision.  Captain  Day  was  almost  persuaded  to  be  a 
Christian.    When  the  congregation  began  singing, 

"I  am  coming  to  the  cross, 

I  am  poor  and  weak  and  blind," 

Captain  Day  was  altogether  persuaded,  and  walking- 
forward,  he  knelt  at  the  altar  in  earnest  prayer  and 
"was  every  whit  made  whole." 


CHAPTER  VII. 


ALONE  IN  THE  WORLD. 


"She  reacheth  out  her  hands  to  the  needy." 

Pale,  beautiful,  resolute,  Helen  walked  out  of  the 
old  home.  "I  have  no  home !"  she  said  with  trem- 
bling lips.  Night  was  coming  on  and  the  rapidly 
gathering  clouds  with  their  constant  rumbling  and 
fitful  flashes  of  lightning  told  her  that  a  storm  was 
coming  with  the  night.  She  looked  up  into  and 
beyond  the  darkness  to  the  One  who  knew  no  night 
and  asked  Him  to  guide  her  feet.  She  had  hardly 
noticed  her  constant  companion,  Prince,  as  he  trot- 
ted by  her  side.  "O,  Prince,  you  are  a  dear  dog!  I 
am  not  entirely  forsaken,  am  I  ?" 

The  dog  seemed  to  know  what  she  said  for  he 
walked  still  closer  by  her  side.  They  wandered 
down  the  streets  until  they  came  to  the  big  union 
depot.  As  they  entered  the  depot  she  heard  the 
train  master  call  "All  aboard  for  the  limited  express 
to  Chicago,  Denver  and  San  Francisco." 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation  she  and  Prince 
got  aboard  and  were  soon  being  carried  away  from 
home  and  kindred.  When  the  conductor  came  she 
inquired  the  fare  to  Chicago.     She  paid  the  amount 

96 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  97 

and  was  just  settling  back  in  her  seat  when  the 
conductor  said :  "Madam,  that  dog  will  have  to  ride 
in  the  baggage  car.  It's  against  the  rules  for  dogs 
to  ride  in  the  sleepers." 

Helen  looked  at  Prince,  then  appealingly  at  the 
conductor  and  said:  "Can't  he  ride  in  here?  He 
is  the  only  friend  I  have  with  me." 

The  conductor  said:  "No,  he  will  have  to  ride 
in  the  baggage  car.  Come  dog."  As  he  reached 
out  to  take  Prince  by  the  collar  Prince  growled 
so  fiercely  that  he  stepped  quickly  back. 

"Well,  madam,  we  will  have  to  put  the  dog  in 
the  baggage  car.    He  can't  ride  in  here." 

"He  is  a  dangerous  dog  if  he  is  aroused,"  she 
said,  "and  perhaps  you  had  better  allow  him  to  ride 
a  short  distance  and  then  I  will  see  that  he  goes." 

Before  retiring  she  said,  "Prince,  I  want  you  to 
go  out  and  sleep  in  the  baggage  car,  and  in  the 
morning  you  can  come  back.     Go  on,  now." 

Prince  walked  out  of  the  car  with  the  conductor 
as  gentle  as  a  lamb. 

When  Helen  retired  the  flood-gates  of  her  soul 
gave  way  and  the  hot  tears  ran  in  streams  down 
her  feverish  cheeks.  "Why  didn't  father  reason 
with  me?  Why  didn't  he  take  me  in  his  arms  as 
he  used  to  do  and  listen  to  my  story?"  She  sobbed 
herself  to  sleep,  saying  the  little  prayer  she  had 
learned  at  her  mother's  knee. 

As  Helen  boarded  the  train  she  had  not  noticed 
the  stalwart  colored  servant  get  on  the  same  train. 
Rufus  could  not  think  of  allowing  Helen  to  go  out 
into  the  big  world  alone.  He  had  always  looked 
after  her  when  she  was  a  child  and  he  was  not 
willing  to  be  rid  of  his  trust.     He  could  think  of 


9°  AI^ONE    IN    THE    WORI.D. 

her  only  as  a  child  and  not  as  a  consecrated  woman 
able  to  face  the  world  alone.  His  conscience  had 
all  along  troubled  him  about  thwarting  the  corre- 
spondence of  Helen.  He  was  not  sure  he  had  done 
right.  He  had  often  wondered  if  there  was  not  a 
better  way  of  dealing  with  the  affair.  Then  after 
Captain  Day's  behavior  in  driving  Helen  away  from 
home  he  made  up  his  mind  that  he  would  do  what 
he  could  to  right  any  wrong  he  might  have  done. 
He  had  a  deep  sense  of  honor  and  when  once  a 
conviction  came  to  him  he  was  ready  to  act.  He 
followed  Helen  and  Prince  to  the  depot  and  when 
they  boarded  the  train  he  climbed  aboard  also.  He 
entered  the  dining  car  as  the  train  started  and 
asked  for  work.  As  one  of  the  hands  was  sick 
Rufus  was  given  work  as  a  "dish  washer.''  It  went 
very  much  against  his  inclination  to  wash  and  wipe 
dishes.  "Never  mind,"  he  said  to  himself.  "Ise 
doin'  this  for  Helen's  sake." 

The  next  morning  he  asked  the  Pullman  con- 
ductor innocently  enough  who  owned  that  fine  dog 
in  the  baggage  car. 

The  conductor  said  that  a  young  lady  who  was 
going  beyond  Chicago  was  the  owner. 

"My !"  thought  Rufus,  "she  has  some  of  the 
spirit  of  the  Cap'n.     Guess  she  means  business." 

When  the  train  arrived  in  Chicago,  Rufus  watched 
Helen  and  saw  her  take  the  limited  for  San  Fran- 
cisco. He  again  secured  passage  in  the  dining  car 
on  the  same  train  with  his  mistress. 

Helen  stepped  from  the  train  in  San  Francisco, 
and  with  Prince  hurried  out  into  the  big  city.  She 
had  no  idea  that  any  one  had  followed  her.  H  Prince 
could  have  spoken  he  would  have  told  his  mistress 
who  cared  for  him  so  well  in  the  baggage  car. 


The  christian  athlete.  99 

Helen  went  at  once  to  the  Salvation  Army  head- 
quarters and  they  found  her  a  very  plain  but  com- 
fortable room  at  small  cost.  Just  as  she  finished 
her  lunch  in  her  room  that  night  she  heard  a  knock 
at  the  door.  She  opened  the  door  and  stood  in 
speechless  surprise.  Rufus,  too,  in  his  embarrass- 
ment, was  at  a  loss  for  words. 

The  overjoyed  dog  broke  the  spell  and  Rufus 
stepped  into  the  room  saying:  ''  'Deed,  Miss  Helen, 
I  couldn't  'low  you  to  be  druv  out  alone.  I  likes  you, 
Miss  Helen,  'deed  I  do.  I  jes'  couldn'  stay  with 
the  Cap'n.  Don't  drive  me  away.  Ise  come  'long 
to  help  you.  Will  you  forgive  me  for  comin'.  Miss 
Helen?" 

As  Helen  looked  at  his  bandaged  eye,  the  result 
of  his  pleading  for  her,  she  could  not  send  him 
away.  She  put  her  hand  on  his  head  and  said: 
"Rufus,  I  will  allow  you  to  be  my  helper  and  friend 
if  you  will  forgive  father  for  that  blow  you  re- 
ceived." 

"Miss  Helen,  I  done  remember  what  de  good  book 
says  and  I  forgive  him.  The  Cap'n  thought  he  was 
doin'  sure  nuff  right  for  he  hates  de  gemin  you'se 
in  lov  wid.  He  done  tole  me  you'  gemin  war  a 
villain.  I  believes  him  at  first.  De  journey  we  took 
was  to  keep  you  away  from  you'  gemin,  and  Miss 
Helen,  as  you  father's  savent  I  was  boun'  to  his 
orders.  And  Miss  Helen,  forgive  me,  but  I  done 
stole  and  burned  all  yo'  letters  to  your  gemin.  I 
thought  I  was  doing  sure  nufif  right,  Miss  Helen 
till  I  saw  yo'  prayin'  by  de  trees  on  Mt.  Olivet  and 
den  I  says,  'Miss  Helen,  can't  be  doin'  wrong  no- 
how. You  see,  Miss  Helen,  youse  been  treated 
wusser  dan  your  father  treated  me.  Can  you  for- 
give me?    O  Miss  Helen,  forgive  me?" 


loo  AI,ONE    IN    THE    WORtD. 

''Rufus,  did  father  ask  you  to  do  that?" 

"He  done  ordered  me  to  do  it,  but  Miss  Helen, 
he  s'posed  he  was  right  and  he  done  it  for  your 
good.     Don't  blame  him.     Ise  to  blame." 

"Well,  Rufus,  I  suppose  both  you  and  father 
thought  you  were  right.  I'll  forgive  you  both  if 
you  will  right  your  wrong.  Go  and  find  Everett 
McDonald  and  tell  him  why  he  has  not  heard  from 
me.  Do  not  tell  him  that  I  have  been  driven  from 
home  for  his  sake,  because  he  has  a  work  that  must 
not  be  neglected  at  present.  Tell  him  I  am  carrying 
out  my  plans  here  in  San  Francisco.  Tell  him  I 
am  contented  and  happy." 

"Miss  Helen,  I  will  deliver  you'  message  to  Mis- 
ter McDonald,  provided.  You'  father  done  paid  me 
plenty  for  all  my  work.  Ise  kept  de  most  of  de 
money."  He  drew  a  large  roll  of  bills  from  his 
inside  pocket  and  continued,  "If  you  will  take  dis 
money  I  will  go  anywha'  in  de  w'uld  to  find  you 
gemin.  No,  don't  refuse  me.  Miss  Helen.  You 
needs  de  money  and  I  can  git  along  widout  it.  I 
has  a  little  left  in  my  pocket.  De  money  is  all  yours 
to  do  with  jes'  as  you  like." 

The  next  day  Rufus  secured  passage  as  a  "dish 
washer"  in  a  dining  car  and  went  forth  in  search 
of  Helen's  lover. 

Helen  turned  her  attention  at  once  to  the  poor 
of  the  city.  She  made  a  careful  and  systematic 
study  and  soon  found  that  the  children  were  woe- 
fully neglected.  One  evening  she  found  three  home- 
less newsboys  sleeping  on  beds  of  excelsior  in  a 
large  store  box.  On  another  corner  she  found  a 
little  girl  shivering  in  the  evening  dew.  When 
Helen  asked  her  where  she  expected  to  sleep  that 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  lOI 

night  she  said,  "My  father's  drunk  and  he  has 
driven  me  out  from  home.  I  don't  know  where  to 
go."  At  the  market  place  on  another  evening  she 
found  two  children — the  boy  about  8  and  his  sister 
about  6 — stealing  an  apple  here,  a  turnip  there,  and 
a  potato  in  still  another  place.  After  watching  their 
systematic  work  for  awhile  Helen  coaxed  them  to 
tell  her  what  they  were  doing.  She  found  that 
their  mother  bad  sent  them  out  to  steal  and  that 
they  did  not  dare  to  go  home  without  some  fruit 
or  vegetables. 

Helen  decided  to  do  something  for  such  children. 
She  succeeded  in  interesting  some  of  the  ministers 
and  business  men.  After  considerable  work  she 
secured  enough  money  to  rent  and  equip  a  suitable 
house. 

The  street  floor  was  used  for  a  free  kindergarten. 
Then  the  second  and  third  floors  were  filled  with 
children's  beds.  The  first  night  the  doors  were 
opened  twenty-two  curious  children  knocked  for 
lodging.  They  were  given  night  gowns,  compelled 
to  take  a  good  bath — an  unusual  thing  for  them — 
and  then  twenty-two  little  folks  were  tucked  into 
twenty-two  little  beds  with  twenty-two  little  prayers 
from  Helen. 

The  next  morning  they  were  given  a  dish  of  oat- 
meal and  some  bread  and  butter.  Then  Helen  read 
to  them  about  Jesus  who  had  taken  little  children 
in  His  arms  and  blessed  them.  After  prayer  she 
sent  them  out  with  the  injunction  to  be  good  chil- 
dren. Six  of  the  little  folks  tarried  for  a  few  mo- 
ments to  romp  with  the  big  dog.  Two  little  fellows 
led  him  by  his  ears,  Helen  held  two  on  his  back,  one 
tried  to  drive  with  the  tail,  and  another  whipped 


I02  ALONE    IN    THE    WORLD. 

with  his  cap.     Helen  forgot  all  about  her  troubles 
in  such  romps. 

As  the  boys  got  outside  one  little  fellow  said :  "I 
like  Miss  Helen  and  her  big  dog.  She  said  we  could 
come  back  tonight,  if  we'd  be  good.  She  says  she's 
going  to  let  us  stay  all  the  morning  with  her  after 
today." 

The  second  night  several  new  ones  came  to  the 
"Friendly  Inn,"  as  Helen  called  the  place.  Prince 
followed  her  around  and  eyed  each  little  tot  as  Helen 
tucked  him  in  bed.  Not  one  knew  the  little  prayer, 
"Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep,"  but  each  one  re- 
peated the  prayer  after  Helen. 

Helen  soon  saw  that  she  would  need  help.  One 
of  the  business  men  gave  her  an  extra  donation. 
She  went  to  the  Salvation  Army  headquarters  and 
found  two  helpers.  They  agreed  to  help  without 
pay.    All  they  asked  was  their  board  and  rooms. 

Helen  now  went  everywhere  searching  for  the 
homeless  wanderers.  One  night  she  was  traveling 
through  one  of  the  worst  districts  of  the  city  and 
came  upon  a  little  girl  crying.  "What  is  it,  my  little 
dear?"  Helen  asked,  stooping  down  and  brushing 
the  tears  out  of  the  little  tot's  eyes.  "Ise  lost.  Ise 
hungry.  I  want  to  go  home."  Helen  carried  the  little 
one  into  a  nearby  restaurant.  The  restaurant  was  not 
very  inviting,  but  it  was  the  only  one  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. She  bought  some  bread  and  milk  and  fed 
the  child.  She  paid  for  the  food  and  then  started 
out  to  take  the  little  one  to  the  "Friendly  Inn"  for 
the  night,  expecting  to  find  her  home  for  her  the 
next  morning. 

An  ex-convict  was  eating  a  lunch  in  the  restau- 
rant when  Helen  entered.     His  feverish  eyes  saw 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  I03 

the  money  in  her  purse  as  she  paid  the  proprietor. 
He  moved  out  shortly  after  Helen  left.  He  quick- 
ened his  pace  and  soon  came  within  sight  of  her. 
Helen  was  so  absorbed  in  the  little  one  that  she  did 
not  notice  the  man  following  her.  Prince  trotted 
closely  by  her  side  and  kept  growling.  Helen  spoke 
to  him  and  occasionally  stroked  his  head  but  the 
dog  would  not  keep  silent.  She  looked  around  but 
saw  no  one.  As  they  were  about  to  emerge  from 
the  narrow  and  forsaken  street  she  heard  rapid 
footfalls  and  turned  just  as  the  figure  of  a  man 
leaped  toward  her. 

Before  Helen  could  utter  a  cry  Prince  bounded 
at  the  throat  of  the  ruffian  and  hurled  him  to  the 
ground.  Man  and  dog  fought  like  demons  in  the 
darkness  and  rolled  into  the  mud  in  the  street. 
Helen  hurried  to  the  spot  just  as  the  man  whispered 
faintly,  "Help."  Helen  made  Prince  release  his 
hold  and  bent  over  the  limp  human  form. 

She  went  to  a  drinking  fountain  not  far  away 
and  wrenching  the  cup  from  its  fastenings  carried 
water  to  the  fallen  man.  She  raised  his  head  and 
forced  a  few  drops  of  water  between  his  white  lips. 
Then  some  more,  and  finally  the  man  opened  his 
eyes.  He  came  slowly  back  to  consciousness.  As 
he  looked  up  he  saw  Helen  and  he  also  saw  the 
eyes  of  the  dog  glaring  like  balls  of  fire.  "Don't 
let  the  dog  at  me,  miss.  I  won't  harm  you,"  he 
said  faintly. 

"I'm  not  afraid  of  you,"  said  Helen.  "Can  you 
walk?" 

He  attempted  to  rise  but  fell  back  with  a  sharp 
cry  of  pain.  She  found  a  cabman  and  took  the 
injured  man,  to  the  "Friendly  Inn."     A  physician 


I04  AI,ONE    IN    THE    WORLD, 

was  called  and  dressed  the  terribly  mangled  arm. 
When  Prince  leaped  at  the  man's  throat  the  man 
had  thrown  up  his  arm  to  protect  himself  and  the 
dog's  monster  jaws  closed  down  upon  that  arm  like 
an  inexorable  steel  trap. 

The  next  morning,  after  the  children  had  been 
fed,  Helen  took  him  some  soup.  As  she  fed  him 
he  asked  in  the  greatest  astonishment :  "Aren't  you 
going  to  have  me  arrested?" 

"I  haven't  decided  about  that  yet.  Suppose  you 
do  not  worry  about  arrest.  Do  you  care  to  tell 
me  your  history?" 

"Yes,  madam.  I'll  tell  you  all.  I  was  raised  in 
a  good  home.  I  had  access  to  the  very  best  society — 
that  is  what  was  called  the  best.  We  often  had 
wine  and  I  soon  formed  the  liquor  habit.  I  went 
down  and  down  until  I  was  an  outcast  from  home. 
One  night  when  crazed  by  drink  I  assaulted  an  old 
chum.  For  this  assault  I  was  sent  to  prison  for 
three  years.  I  have  been  out  of  prison  just  three 
weeks.  I  meant  to  reform,  but  the  world  was 
against  me.  I  was  frank  when  I  asked  for  a  place 
and  told  my  history.  All  I  asked  was  a  chance 
to  earn  an  honest  living.  Every  one  drew  back  from 
me  as  though  I  had  the  smallpox.  Not  once  did 
I  receive  a  word  of  encouragement.  I  went  to  a 
minister  and  asked  him  to  help  me  find  work,  but 
he  had  been  imposed  on  so  often  that  he  was  suspi- 
cious of  me.  Besides,  he  said  it  was  Saturday  and 
he  had  his  sermon  only  half  written.  If  the  saloon- 
keepers hadn't  helped  me  I  would  have  starved.  I 
tramped  all  day  yesterday  without  a  bite  to  eat. 
Last  night  I  used  the  last  cent  I  had  to  buy  the 
sandwich  I  was  eating  when  you  entered  the  restau- 


THR    CHRISTIAN     ATFILKTE.  IO5 

rant.  The  sight  of  yuur  money  crazed  me.  I 
wanted  it.  I  meant  no  harm  to  you,  miss,  because 
you  fed  the  child.  There  is  no  chance  for  me  and 
it  will  be'  a  relief  when  I  am  back  in  prison." 

Helen  quieted  his  fears  by  reading  to  him  what 
the  Master  said  about  such  conditions. 

One  morning  as  she  passed  by  him  he  said :  "Miss 
Helen,  I've  been  reading  the  Bible  and  Tve  given 
my  heart  to  Christ.  I  see  you  have  some  Salvation 
Army  people  here.  I  wonder  if  they  would  allow 
me  to  wear  one  of  their  uniforms  and  work  in  their 
ranks?" 

When  the  man  was  able  to  be  around  again  a 
Salvation  Army  suit  arrived.  As  Helen  handed 
him  the  suit  she  said:  "We  need  some  one  to  help 
wait  on  the  children  every  morning  and  if  you  care 
to  do  so  I  will  give  you  your  lodging  and  break- 
fast and  25  cents  every  morning  for  your  work." 

"Well,  Miss  Helen,  I  will  help  you  until  you  get 
some  one  to  do  the  work,  but  the  captain  of  the 
Salvation  Army  told  me  he  would  help  me  in  look- 
ing after  ex-prisoners  and  securing  them  work  and 
I  want  to  do  that." 

He  went  forth  to  his  chosen  work  but  every  morn- 
ing found  him  kneeling  in  prayer  with  the  children 
in  the  free  kindergarten. 

While  peculiar  circumstances  occasionally  turned 
Helen's  aid  to  a  man  or  woman  her  chief  interest 
was  in  the  care  of  the  children. 

Many  of  the  little  ones  who  came  to  the  "Friend- 
ly Inn"  heard  kind  words  for  the  first  time  in  their 
life.  No  mother  could  have  taken  more  interest 
than  did  Helen  in  those  children.  She  darned  stock- 
ings, patched  pants  and  sewed  on  buttons  as  occa- 


Io6  AI,ONE    IN    THE    WORLD. 

sioii  demanded.  One  evening  as  Helen  was  putting 
the  children,  in  their  beds  one  little  fellow  said,  as 
she  rubbed  the  curls  back  from  his  forehead,  "Miss 
Helen,  after  you  get  all  the  boys  tucked  in  won't 
you  come  and  rub  my  head  again  ?"'  When  Helen 
came  back  the  little  fellow  was  sound  asleep  dream- 
ing of  Miss  Helen  and  her  beautiful  hands.  She 
rubbed  his  curls  back  several  times  and  offered  up 
a  prayer  for  his  safe-keeping. 

A  few  days  afterward,  when  this  same  little  fel- 
low was  crossing  the  street  he  was  run  over  by  a 
bicycle.  Helen  carried  him  in  and  placed  him  on 
a  cot,  but  soon  saw  the  need  of  a  physician.  She 
telephoned  for  the  ambulance  but  when  the  men  in 
blue  uniforms  attempted  to  carry  him  out  his  grief 
knew  no  bounds.  "Don't  let  them  take  me  away 
from  you.  Miss  Helen.  Please  don't !"  Helen  car- 
ried him  into  the  ambulance  herself  and  went  with 
him  to  the  city  hospital. 

He  plead  so  pitifully  for  Miss  Helen  to  remain 
with  him,  but  she  told  him  she  must  go  and  put 
her  children  to  bed.  "I  will  let  Prince  stay  with 
you  until  you  go  to  sleep  if  you  want  him  to."  This 
satisfied  the  little  urchin  and  he  was  soon  in  a 
fitful  slumber.  Prince  was  anxious  to  get  back  to 
his  mistress  and  bounded  away  the  minute  the  nurse 
opened  the  door  for  him. 

Bright  and  early  the  next  morning  Helen  was 
at  the  hospital  with  some  flowers  for  little  Ben. 

She  noticed  that  there  were  very  few  flowers  for 
the  other  sick  people.  Her  offer  to  bring  flowers 
every  morning  was  gladly  accepted.  The  patients 
were  overjoyed  with  her  flowers  and  kind  words. 

It  was  several  weeks  before  little  Ben  could  sit 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  I07 

Up.  Every  niorniiii;-  when  the  door  was  opened  for 
Helen,  Prince  would  l)ound  into  the  room  and 
race  to  the  cot  where  his  little  friend  was  resting. 
Several  morning-s  a  lad}'  and  gentleman  visited  the 
hospital  with  Helen  and  talked  with  liennie.  One 
morning  the  lady  asked  Bennie  if  he  would  like  to 
take  a  ride  in  her  carriage.  Bennie  had  never  been 
in  a  fine  carriage  and  he  was  delighted  over  the 
prospect.  The  physician  smiled  when  Bennie  asked 
to  go.  "Yes,"  he  said,  "and  you  may  stay  until  you 
get  ready  to  come  back."  The  ride  was  delightful. 
They  drove  up  to  a  beautiful  house  and  Bennie  was 
helped  into  the  home.  There  was  a  place  for  him 
at  the  table,  and  a  little  bed  for  him  at  night  in 
a  beautiful  room. 

The  next  day  Miss  Helen  came  and  asked  him 
how  he  would  like  to  live  there.  "O,  Miss  Helen, 
wouldn't  it  be  fine !  If  I  only  had  a  dog  like  Prince 
I'd  like  it,  for  the  lady  is  nearly  like  you." 

The  next  day  a  St.  Bernard  puppy  came  from  one 
of  the  dog  kennels  in  the  city  and  Bennie's  happi- 
ness was  complete,  for  Helen  had  found  him  a 
home. 

Many,  many  little  tots  that  came  to  the  "Friendly 
Inn"  soon  found  good  homes  through  the  efforts  of 
Miss  Helen — working  and  watching  and  waiting  and 
never  weary.  At  night  after  her  work  was  done 
she  prayed  a  child's  prayer  for  her  dear  ones  in 
the  far  east.  She  did  not  know  what  a  change  had 
come  into  her  old  home  after  she  had  been  driven 
from  its  shelter. 

One  morning  as  Miss  Helen  left  flowers  at  the 
hospital  she  asked  if  there  v/ere  any  new  patients. 
She  was  told  that  a  stranger  had  been  brought  in 


I08  ALONE    IN    THE    WORLD. 

in  the  night  but  that  he  was  deHrious  and  could 
not  be  seen. 

For  days  the  stranger's  life  hung  in  the  balance 
and  no  one,  not  even  the  flower  girl  was  permitted 
to  see  him.  There  was  considerable  mystery  sur- 
rounding him,  for  there  was  nothing  to  indicate 
who  he  was  or  where  he  was  from.  As  he  had  no 
money  it  was  supposed  he  had  been  robbed.  The 
fact  that  he  was  a  fine  looking  man  without  a  name 
naturally  made  his  case  a  little  more  interesting 
than  that  of  others.  He  seemed  to  be  laboring  un- 
der the  impression  that  he  was  the  chief  of  sinners. 
Every  morning  a  large  bunch  of  flowers  was  left 
at  the  stranger's  door. 

One  morning  the  nurse  gave  to  the  flower  girl 
a  description  of  the  patient.  "A  tall  man  about 
six  feet,  broad  shoulders,  big  brown  eyes,  beautiful 
white  teeth ;  yes,  smooth  face.     His  hair  was  gray." 

As  Helen  left  the  hospital  she  said  to  herself: 
"I  could  not  help  feeling  uneasy  until  she  said  his 
hair  was  gray.  Father's  hair  is  black.  Besides,  he 
could  not  be  away  out  here  penniless  and  unknown. 
Well,  I  suppose  he  is  some  one's  father  and  I'll  do 
all  I  can  to  cheer  him." 

In  another  week  the  patient  had  gained  so  rapidly 
that  the  physician  said  he  was  beyond  danger.  He 
cautioned  the  nurse  not  to  ask  any  questions  as  it 
would  be  best  for  him  to  speak  for  himself.  He 
said  the  flower  girl  could  be  admitted  the  next 
morning  if  she  wished  to  arrange  the  flowers  for 
him. 

The  next  morning  when  Helen  came  the  nurse  told 
her  she  could  arrange  the  flowers  in  room  No.  5 
if  she  wished. 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  109 

She  couldn't  tell  why  she  was  so  nervous  when 
she  went  in.  The  patient  was  asleep  with  his  face 
turned  toward  the  wall.  She  saw  his  gray,  curly 
locks  and  said  to  herself :  "I  wish  I  could  talk  with 
him,  but  I'll  wait  until  the  next  time." 

When  the  patient  awakened  he  asked  the  nurse 
who  had  been  so  kind  as  to  remember  him  with 
such  beautiful  flowers. 

"While  you  were  asleep  the  lady  who  has  charge 
of  the  free  kindergarten  arranged  the  flowers.  She 
is  known  here  in  the  hospital  as  the  'angel  of  mercy.' 
I  know  you  will  be  glad  to  talk  with  her  for  she 
is  no  ordinary  girl.  I  think  she  came  here  from 
England.  She  is  doing  a  wonderful  work  among 
the  children.    The  children  call  her  Miss  Helen." 

The  patient  rubbed  his  hand  over  his  forehead 
and  said:  "Miss  Helen — Helen  is  the  sweetest 
name  I  ever  heard.  I  know  I  will  like  her  because 
her  name  is  Helen.  If  I  am  asleep  when  she  comes 
again  wake  me  up,  will  you  please?" 

The  next  morning  the  "angel  of  mercy"  came  with 
a  larger  bouquet  than  usual.  Prince  had  to  be  left 
outside  because  for  the  last  three  weeks  he  had 
barked  so  loudly  every  time  he  came  to  the  hospital 
that  he  disturbed  the  patients.  Accordingly  he  was 
now  left  in  the  hospital  office.  After  the  usual 
visits  Miss  Helen  knocked  at  the  door  of  room  No. 
5.  The  nurse  opened  the  door  and  she  stepped  in 
to  arrange  the  flowers.  As  she  did  so  she  gazed 
full  into  the  face  of  the  sick  man.  The  flowers 
tumbled  out  of  her  hands  as  the  man  reached  out 
his  trembling  arms  and  said:  "Helen!"  "Father!" 
said  the  sobbing  girl  as  she  knelt  by  the  bedside 
with  her  head  pillowed  on  the  breast  of  the  over- 


no  ALONE    IN    THR    WORLD. 

joyed  father.  When  he  had  ordered  her  from  home 
she  accepted  his  decree  and  went  forth.  Now  when 
he  held  out  his  arms  and  his  heart  she  again  took 
him  at  his  word.  "Father  and  daughter  wound 
their  arms  around  each  other  and  the  golden  light 
came  streaming  in  and  fell  upon  them  locked  to- 
gether." 

When  Prince  was  allowed  to  enter  the  Captain 
could  not  see  him  for  the  tears  that  surged  from 
a  thankful  soul.  He  reached  out  his  hand  and  rested 
it  upon  the  head  of  the  noble  animal  that  had  never 
forsaken  the  "angel  of  mercy." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE  IMPOSTER  UNMASKED. 


"Good  were  it  for  that  man  if  he  had  not  been  born." 

A  young  father  and  mother,  in  a  neat  httle  cot- 
tage, bent  over  their  first  born,  a  chubby-faced  boy, 
and  were  supremely  happy.  Such  a  time  as  they 
had  naming  him — they  looked  through  spelling- 
books,  newspapers  and  dictionaries.  Finally  Mrs. 
Tupper  said,  "Oscar,  I  have  decided  that  I  like  your 
name  the  best ;  let's  call  him  Oscar." 

Mr.  Tupper  felt  very  much  complimented  and 
agreed  to  the  name.  Oscar  was  a  very  bright  little 
fellow.  Two  cloudless  years  hurried  by  and  the 
baby  was  able  to  toddle  to  the  window  and  chatter 
"dad  da"  as  he  saw  his  father  coming  home  from 
work. 

One  evening  the  happy  mother  and  sunny-faced 
little  boy  were  waiting  at  the  window  for  "dad  da." 
"Dad  da"  was  late,  an  unusual  thing  for  him.  What 
could  be  keeping  him !  A  half  hour,  an  hour,  two 
hours  passed  by  and  he  did  not  come.  A  lamp  was 
placed  in  the  window  for  him. 

Finally  when  "dad  da"  was  brought  home  so 
still  and  white  little  Oscar  could  not  understand  why 


112  THE    IMPOSTER    UNMASKED. 

bis  mamma  cried.  He  cried  with  her  continually 
asking  why  "Dad  da"  did  not  wake  up.  The  un- 
feeling limited  express  had  filled  their  happy  home 
with  darkest  clouds. 

The  widow  and  orphan  faced  the  future  with 
brave  hearts.  Every  night  after  the  mother  had 
rocked  the  tired  child  to  sleep  she  knelt  by  his  little 
bed  and  with  her  feeble  arms  lifted  him  up  in  prayer 
to  the  throne  of  grace.  Although  the  little  home 
had  to  be  sold  and  they  had  to  rent  two  small  rooms 
sunshine  was  never  entirely  shut  out  from  their 
lives. 

As  soon  as  Oscar  was  old  enough  he  sold  news- 
papers and  blacked  boots.  When  he  returned  to  his 
mother  with  all  his  earnings  he  frequently  felt  a 
warm  tear  fall  on  his  happy  upturned  face.  Then, 
as  he  grew  older  he  secured  a  place  as  office  boy 
in  one  of  the  large  manufacturing  establishments 
of  Cleveland.  He  took  particular  delight  in  handing 
all  his  earnings  every  week  to  his  mother. 

One  evening  as  Mrs.  Tupper  finished  reading  the 
Bible  she  said,  "Oscar,  my  dear  boy,  I  have  been 
consulting  a  physician  about  a  growth  in  my  side 
and  he  advises  me  to  go  to  the  hospital  at  once  for 
an  operation.  He  thinks  I  cannot  live  long  unless 
I  do  go.  There  is  considerable  danger  attending 
the  operation  but  it  seems  the  only  thing  I  can  do. 
I  have  decided  to  go  tomorrow.  There  are  some 
things  I  want  to  talk  to  you  about  before  I  go. 
Your  father  and  I  used  to  plan  and  plan  what  we 
would  like  to  have  you  do  when  you  grew  up  to 
manhood.  But  I  remember  a  few  nights  before  his 
death  he  said :  'Well,  after  all  I  am  not  particular 
whether  Oscar  is  inclined  to  a  trade  or  a  profes- 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  II3 

sion  just  so  he  is  upright  and  honorable  in  all 
things.  I  am  anxious  for  him  to  be  loyal  to  the 
church  and  Sabbath  school.' 

"I  am  going  to  leave  my  Bible  with  you  when  I 
go  to  the  hospital.  If  I  never  come  out  alive  I  want 
you  to  read  the  Bible  every  day  and  remember  that 
your  father's  chief  desire  is  also  mine." 

Oscar  took  the  Bible,  but  his  eyes  filled  with 
tears  and  he  sobbed  aloud  when  he  tried  to  speak. 
The  next  morning  he  kissed  his  mother  good-bye 
at  the  door  of  the  hospital. 

Mrs.  Tupper's  fears  about  the  operation  were 
well  grounded  and  one  week  after  her  advice  to 
her  son  she  was  cradled  by  the  side  of  her  husband. 
That  night  as  the  grief-stricken  boy  went  to  his 
room  alone  he  read  his  mother's  Bible.  Each  Sab- 
bath found  him  attending  all  the  services  of  the 
nearby  church. 

One  day  Mr.  McDonald,  the  president  of  the 
Savings  Bank,  called  on  the  president  of  the  manu- 
facturing company  where  Oscar  worked,  to  inquire 
about  some  institution  of  which  they  were  trustees. 
Mr.  McDonald  saw  Oscar  and  took  a  fancy  to  him. 
When  he  heard  his  story  from  his  employer  he  said, 
"We  have  a  vacancy  in  the  bank  and  I  would  like 
to  have  just  such  a  fellow.  I  am  sure  I  can  do 
better  by  him  than  you  can  here  if  you  will  let 
me  have  him." 

The  next  morning  when  Oscar  went  to  the  office 
he  was  sent  to  the  Savings  Bank.  Mr.  McDonald 
spent  some  time  in  conversation  with  him.  In  the 
course  of  his  remarks  he  said :  "I  need  a  young 
man  here  in  the  bank  that  I  can  trust.  The  place 
is  open  to  you.    You  may  have  this  assurance  that 


114  THE    IMPOSTER    UNMASKED. 

if  you  are  strictly  honest  and  faithful  I  will  advance 
you  in  position  and  salary  as  often  as  the  oppor- 
tunity arises." 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  Oscar  was  pleased  with 
his  new  position  and  the  prospect  before  him.  His 
accuracy  and  capability  were  rewarded  year  after 
year  and  he  was  regarded  as  almost  indispensable. 
He  was  finally  made  cashier.  As  he  was  promoted 
from  time  to  time  and  new  faces  came  into  the  bank 
he  was  no  longer  called  Oscar,  but  Mr.  Tupper.  He 
became  acquainted  with  many  young  men  and  was 
with  them  a  great  deal  after  banking  hours.  He 
was  prevailed  upon  to  join  a  most  excellent  military 
company  known  as  the  "Cleveland  Grays."  The 
social  life  suited  him  and  his  genial  dispositon  made 
him  many  friends. 

One  evening  after  drill  he  was  informed  that  he 
had  been  elected  to  membership  in  "The  Wigwam." 
"The  Wigwam"  was  supposed  to  be  the  most  aristo- 
cratic club  in  Cleveland,  and  Mr.  Tupper  naturally 
felt  quite  complimented.  The  surroundings  were 
not  always  to  his  liking  but  he  soon  became  accus- 
tomed to  the  tobacco  smoke  and  the  sight  of  cards. 
In  fact  it  was  not  long  before  he  found  intense 
delight  at  the  card  and  pool  table. 

One  night  when  the  ladies  were  invited  in  to 
dance  he  was  uncomfortable  because  every  other 
member  of  the  club  could  dance  and  he  could  not. 
He  made  up  his  mind  not  to  be  a  "dummy"  the 
next  time  and  so  took  private  dancing  lessons. 

On  one  occasion  he  remained  out  so  late  at  a 
dinner  party  that  he  forgot  to  read  his  Bible  before 
retiring.  "Well,"  he  said  to  himself  next  morning, 
"I  will  make  up  for  lost  time  on  the  Sabbath." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI,RTR.  II5 

As  Mr.  McDonald  was  about  to  leave  the  bank 
one  afternoon  he  said :  "I  would  like  to  have  two 
weeks'  vacation,  Mr.  McDonald.  I  haven't  missed 
a  day  since  I  began  here.  The  fact  is  I  am  going 
to  be  married."    Of  course  he  got  his  vacation. 

The  wedding  was  a  society  event,  as  Oscar  had 
married  a  most  popular  young  lady. 

Up  to  the  night  of  his  marriage  he  had  been  a 
total  abstainer.  Many  things  at  the  supper  were 
flavored  with  rum.  Finally  his  bride,  in  her  viva- 
cious way  poured  out  a  little  glass  of  sparkling 
wine  which  he  lifted  to  her  health  and  drained.  As 
he  packed  his  valise  that  night  for  the  wedding 
journey  he  took  out  the  Bible  and  laid  it  aside,  say- 
ing to  himself:  "I'll  have  plenty  of  time  to  read 
that  when  I  cojne  back.  Besides,  I  suppose  my 
bride  would  laugh  heartily  at  me  for  doing  such 
a  thing." 

The  first  Sunday  morning  on  their  trip  Oscar 
said:  "Well,  I'm  accustomed  to  go  to  church  and 
Sabbath  school.  Suppose  we  go  over  to  the  Pres- 
byterian church." 

"O,  Oscar,  let  us  remain  here  until  after  dinner 
and  then  take  a  carriage  ride.  I'll  go  with  you 
when  we  get  back  home.     Please?" 

For  the  first  time  since  his  mother's  death  he 
remained  away  from  church  and  then  for  the  first 
time  in  his  life  took  a  pleasure  ride  on  Sunday. 

He  was  warmly  welcomed  and  congratulated  at 
the  bank  on  his  return.  Mr.  McDonald  said  to  him 
as  they  walked  out  of  the  bank  that  evening :  "Oscar, 
I  have  been  wondering  where  you  were  going  to 
live.     Have  you  a  house?" 

"No,  Mr.  McDonald,  we  expect  to  live  at  the 
hotel  for  awhile." 


Il6  THE    IMPOSTER    UNMASKED. 

"Well,  Oscar,  you  walk  with  me  a  few  steps  and 
I'll  show  you  a  bargain  in  one  of  the  neatest  little 
cottages  in  Cleveland.  Here  it  is.  A  corner  lot, 
a  choice  street,  a  new  house  and  a  fine  barn.  The 
man  who  built  this  failed  in  business  just  as  the 
house  was  finished  and  the  place  must  be  sold.  It 
is  a  great  bargain." 

"Well,  Mr.  McDonald,  I  like  the  place  but  I 
haven't  enough  to  buy  and  equip  such  a  place  at 
present." 

"If  you  want  the  place  I'll  loan  you  the  money 
without  interest.  Suppose  you  talk  with  Mrs.  Tup- 
per  and  let  me  know  in  the  morning.  Here  are  the 
keys." 

The  next  week  the  happy  couple  moved  into  their 
beautiful  little  home. 

Mrs.  Tupper  was  very  fond  of  company  and  the 
little  cottage  was  often  the  scene  of  delightful  gath- 
erings. Mr.  Tupper  was  inclined  at  first  to  object 
to  wine  but  yielded  at  last  and  drank  with  the  rest. 

One  night  he  came  home  from  "The  Wigwam" 
and  told  his  wife  that  some  of  his  friends  wanted 
him  to  try  for  the  nomination  as  mayor  in  the  com- 
ing convention. 

Mr.  Tupper  said:  "If  Mr.  McDonald  had  not 
gone  away  on  a  vacation,  I  could  think  better 
of  the  proposition.  I  ought  to  consult  him  about 
the  matter."  All  these  objections  were  overruled 
by  his  ambitious  wife  and  at  last  he  decided  to  try. 

The  campaign  was  entered  into  with  all  possible 
cunning  and  shrewdness.  There  was  considerable 
expense  which  Mr.  Tupper  had  not  reckoned  on. 
It  took  all  of  his  extra  money  and  nearly  all  of 
his   wife's.     Once   in   he   was   determined  to   win. 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHI^ETK.  1 1? 

When  the  convention  assembled  it  looked  as  if  Mr. 
Tupper  would  surely  secure  the  nomination.  On 
the  first  ballot  he  led  the  other  three  candidates. 
After  some  slight  changes  the  convention  settled 
down  into  a  deadlock  and  adjourned  until  the  next 
evening.  Mr.  Tupper  was  wrought  up  to  the  high- 
est pitch  of  excitement  and  took  several  glasses  of 
brandy.  One  of  his  henchmen  said  that  he  felt  sure 
he  could  swing  the  convention  to  Mr.  Tupper  if  he 
only  had  $2500.  The  contest  had  already  cost  so 
much  money  that  Mr.  Tupper  said  he  did  not  feel 
like  putting  more  in.  Still  he  was  urged  to  put  up  • 
the  extra  money.  He  did  not  say  he  would  but  he 
did  not  give  an  emphatic  answer. 

That  night  he  slept  very  little.  What  should  he 
do?  He  had  already  used  nearly  all  the  ready 
money  he  and  his  wife  had.  In  fact  he  had  drawn 
all  he  possibly  could  at  the  bank.  He  asked  his 
wife  what  to  do.  "Do!  If  your  nomination  depends 
upon  that  amount  take  it  out  of  the  bank.  Certainly ! 
Why  not?  The  nomination  is  equivalent  to  an  elec- 
tion. This  is  your  chance.  Take  the  money,  you 
are  in  sole  charge  of  the  bank." 

"My  dear,  you  have  left  in  the  bank  the  amount 
I  need  why  can't  I  take  that?" 

"No,  I  must  have  that  to  draw  on.  You  can  get 
the  amount  out  of  the  bank.    You  are  the  cashier." 

But  Mr.  Tupper  was  not  willing  to  take  the 
amount  out  of  the  bank.  In  fact  he  knew  there 
were  very  serious  hindrances  to  such  an  act  even 
if  he  desired  to  do  so.  As  he  went  to  his  work 
that  morning  he  felt  vexed  at  his  wife  because  she 
could  not  see  that  the  best  way  was  to  give  him 
the  last  money  she  had.  Finally  he  decided  he  would 


iiS  The  imposter  unmasked. 

forge  his  wife's  name  and  draw  on  her  account. 
It  was  wrong-,  he  knew,  but  then  he  would  not  do 
it  again.  He  could  easily  replace  the  amount  after 
the  election.  After  some  hesitation  he  did  the  first 
dishonorable  act  in  his  business  career. 

The  money  was  used  in  the  convention  but  an 
unexpected  thing  happened.  The  three  minor  can- 
didates combined  and  Mr.  Tupper  was  defeated. 
The  defeat  was  a  very  bitter  one.  He  could  only 
ask  himself  one  question,  "Why  did  I  run,  why  did 
I  try?" 

Mrs.  Tupper  was  so  sorely  disappointed  at  her 
husband's  failure  that  she  pouted  and  scolded  and 
reproved  him  until  he  was  almost  distracted.  As 
they  sat  down  to  the  table  the  next  day  she  said 
with  considerable  bitterness :  "To  think  that  in  ad- 
dition to  your  failure  you  spent  nearly  all  of  my 
money.  I've  always  had  plenty  of  my  own;  now 
you  have  spent  all  but  my  pin  money." 

The  last  statement  stung  Mr.  Tupper  to  the  very 
heart.  He  did  not  say  one  word  in  reply.  He  left 
his  home  earlier  than  usual.  Something  desperate 
must  be  done.  As  he  glanced  over  the  morning 
papers  somehow  he  could  not  get  away  from  the 
reports  of  the  stock  markets.  He  had  a  very  inti- 
mate friend  on  Wall  street.  New  York,  who  had 
grown  quite  wealthy  through  speculation.  Why 
couldn't  he  regain  his  lost  fortunes  by  investing 
through  this  friend?  He  was  not  long  in  deciding 
to  do  so  and  found  a  ready  response  from  his  friend, 
who  advised  investing  in  copper.  He  began  in  a 
small  way  in  collusion  with  his  accomplice  in  New 
York,  to  whom  he  sent  drafts  on  the  New  York 
balances  of  the  bank  of  which  he  was  cashier  signed 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI,ETE.  "9 

b}-  himself.     In  addition  to  his  stock  peculations  he 
became  deeply  involved  in  his  club  life.     In  his  des- 
peration  to   recoup   his    losses   he   secured   a   two 
weeks'  vacation  and  went  to  New  York.     There, 
in   drink   and   intense   excitement  he   went  to  the 
ofamblins:  house.     For  a  few  times  he  was  success- 
ful  and  then  came  the  old  story  over  again.     He 
lost  and  kept  losing.    Finally  the  die  was  cast.    To 
temporarily  tide  over  the  situation    he    issued    the 
obligations  of  the  bank  signed  by  Alexander  Mc- 
Donald   as    president — a  forgery  by  Mr.  Tupper. 
The  gamblers  made  inquiries  and  found  that  there 
was  a  Savings  Bank  in  Cleveland  and  that  Alexander 
McDonald  was  the  president.     They  therefore  ac- 
cepted the  obhgations  in  liquidation  of  the  amount 
so  lost  by  Mr.  Tupper.     As  the  obligations  were 
not  payable  for  thirty  days,  Mr.    Tupper    hurried 
home   determined  to  hold  his  position   if  possible, 
even  to  placing  the  blame  upon  his  great  benefactor. 
When  the  obligations  came  due  they  were  pre- 
sented to  the  bank  for  payment.     Mr.  Tupper  re- 
fused to  pay  until  he  had  consulted  the  directors. 
There  was  no  evidence  on  the  bank  books  of  such 
obligations.     Mr.  McDonald  was  still  away  on  his 
vacation  and  could  not  be  consulted.    The  directors 
decided  not  to  pay  the  amount  but  adjourned  until 
the  next  night.     On  consulting  with  an  eminent  at- 
torney they  found  that  the  bank  was  liable  because 
the  president's  name  was  signed  to  the  paper.  When 
they  met  again  the  next  night  Mr.  Tupper  presented 
Mr.  McDonald's  resignation  which  he  alleged  had 
been  received  that  day.     The  directors  at  once  ac- 
cepted the  resignation.    Then  they  ordered  the  obli- 
gations  paid.     The   bank   was  weakened   so   much 


I20  THE    IMPOSTER     UNMASKED. 

that  the  directors  decided  to  go  into  liquidation  but 
tb.e  public  was  to  be  informed  that  it  was  a  tempor- 
ary suspenson.  In  order  to  recoup  the  losses  of 
the  bank  it  was  decided  to  place  an  attachment  upon 
Mr.  McDonald's  property. 

Before  the  matter  reached  the  public  ear  Mr. 
McDonald  returned  from  his  vacation.  He  knew 
nothing  of  what  had  been  going  on  and  was  dumb- 
founded when  informed  that  he  was  no  longer  pres- 
ident. He  supposed  of  course  that  he  had  been 
summarily  dismissed.  The  directors  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  him  and  informed  him  that  Mr. 
Tupper  was  the  new  president  and  he  could  talk  with 
him.  Mr.  Tupper  gave  him  little  light.  He  told 
him  that  the  bank  was  involved  seriously  and  that 
there  would  be  a  temporary  suspension  at  least. 

Mr.  McDonald's  deep  sense  of  honor  asserted 
itself  that  night  and  he  resolved  that  not  a  depositor 
should  lose  a  dollar.  When  the  morning  paper  an- 
nounced the  suspension  of  the  bank  the  people  could 
scarcely  believe  the  report.  One  of  the  papers  pub- 
lished an  interview  from  the  new  president  who 
said  he  could  not  account  for  the  matter  unless  Mr. 
McDonald  had  been  gambling.  Shortly  after  the 
paper  came  out  with  the  interview  Mr.  Tupper,  it 
is  true,  had  called  up  Mr.  McDonald  and  declared 
that  the  reporter  had  misrepresented  him.  It  was 
noticeable,  however,  that  he  did  not  deny  the  inter- 
view in  a  public  way.  Up  to  the  time  of  the  inter- 
view Mr.  McDonald  was  completely  at  sea.  -His 
suspicion  for  the  first  time  centered  on  his  cashier. 
He  wondered  if  Mr.  Tupper  had  had  him  dismissed 
m  order  to  get  the  position  of  president.  Perhaps 
the  difficulties  of  the  bank  were  due  to  Mr.  Tup- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    aTHLETB.  121 

per's  action.  But  why  should  Mr.  Tupper  do  such 
a  thing?  He  had  a  good  salary,  he  had  a  charming 
wife  and  a  comfortable  home,  and  he  stood  well  in 
society. 

One  evening  Mr.  McDonald  and  Mr.  Tupper  ac- 
cidentally met  on  the  street.  As  Mr.  McDonald 
looked  at  Mr.  Tupper  he  felt  more  deeply  con- 
vinced than  ever  that  he  had  rightly  placed  the 
blame.  Mr.  Tupper  was  pale,  nervous,  rather  glum 
and  without  his  customary  fearless  gaze. 

As  Mr.  Tupper  went  into  his  home  that  evening 
he  was  unusually  nervous.  He  did  not  like  the  way 
Mr.  McDonald  looked  at  him.  He  did  not  like  the 
way  he  was  questioned  by  him.  And  above  all,  he 
was  aggravated  at  what  Mr.  McDonald  said  as  they 
parted :  "The  whole  affair  will  come  to  light  some 
time,  for  murder,  though  it  hath  no  tongue,  will 
speak  with  most  miraculous  organ."  Mr.  Tupper 
said  to  himself:  "I  need  not  worry.  I  can  hold  my 
own  tongue.  Still,  I  wish  I  had  not  done  the  work. 
I  have  a  little  of  that  money  and  some  day  I'll 
get  out  of  here  and  enjoy  myself." 

He  did  not  sleep  well  that  night.  He  had  fitful 
dreams.  He  rolled  and  tossed  but  sleep  seemed 
driven  from  his  life.  He  heard  a  noise  at  the  front 
gate  and  saw  two  policemen  talking.  He  imagined 
that  they  had  come  to  arrest  him.  A  sickly  fear 
came  over  him  as  he  locked  and  bolted  the  door. 
When  he  peeped  out  again  and  saw  them  moving 
off  on  their  beats  he  laughed  at  his  foolish  fears. 

The  next  morning  something  went  wrong  at  home 
and  for  the  first  time  he  cursed — cursed  his  wife. 
He  felt  in  his  heart  that  she  was  partly  responsible 
for  his   wrong-doing  and  he  hated  her — hated  her 


THE    IMPOSTER    UNMASKED. 


beautiful  eyes,  hated  her  rosy  cheeks,  hated  her 
costly  gowns,  hated  her  as  he  hated  a  slimy  ser- 
pent. Her  very  presence  made  him  unspeakably 
ugly  in  disposition. 

One  Sunday  morning  he  resolved  to  go  to  church 
and  try  to  live  right.  He  would  atone  for  his  wrong 
doing  by  attending  church,  and  giving  liberally  for 
its  support.  He  went  to  hear  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carter 
preach.  He  slipped  a  $20  bill  into  the  plate  as  it 
passed  by.  But  somehow  he  felt  uneasy  while  Dr. 
Carter  was  preaching — especially  as  he  was  preach- 
ing about  Judas.  The  sin  of  ungratefulness  never 
seemed  so  awful  to  him  before.  As  he  went  out  he 
secretly  cursed  Dr.  Carter  for  putting  such  a  thought 
before  him.  Why  didn't  he  preach  on  love  or  for- 
giveness or  charity? 

The  next  Sunday  he  resolved  to  go  where  the 
minister  was  supposed  to  preach  every  person  into 
heaven.  But  when  he  went  into  the  church  he  did 
not  like  the  looks  of  the  interior.  He  did  not  like 
the  looks  of  the  audience.  He  did  not  like  the 
singing.  Then  when  the  minister  preached  on  "Life- 
less Creeds"  he  turned  away  in  disgust. 

The  next  Sunday  he  went  to  hear  a  famous 
evangelist.  He  believed  just  what  the  evangeHst 
said  about  "Peace,  the  fruit  of  righteousness."  As 
he  went  into  his  room  that  night  he  unbound  his 
mother's  Bible  and  wept  over  his  lost  condition.  The 
conscious  stricken  man  could  not  pray.  He  turned 
to  his  well  thumbed  copy  of  Hamlet  and  read  aloud 
his  own  condition : 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  1 23 

"O,  my  offense  is  rank,  it  smells  to  heaven ! 

Pray  can  I  not : 
Though  inclination  be  as  sharp  as  will, 
My  stronger  guilt  defeats  my  strong  intent; 
And,  like  a  man  to  double  business  bound, 
I  stand  in  pause  where  I  shall  first  begin, 
And  both  neglect.    Whereto  serves  mercy 
But  to  confront  the  visage  of  offence? 
And  what's  in  prayer  but  this  twofold  force,— 
To  be  forstalled  ere  we  come  to  fall, 
Or  pardoned  being  down?    Then  I'll  look  up; 
My  fault  is  past.     But,  O,  what  form  of  prayer 
Can  serve  my  turn?     Forgive  me  my  foul  deeds? 
That  cannot  be ;  since  I  am  still  possess'd 
Of  those  effects  for  which  I  did  the  deed, 
My  wealth,  mine  own  ambition  and  my  place. 
May  one  be  pardoned  and  retain  the  offence? 

In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world 
Offence's  gilded  hand  may  shove-by  justice; 
And  oft  'tis  seen  the  wicked  prize  itself 

Buys  out  .the  law :  but  'tis  not  so  above ; 

There  is  no  suffling,— there  the  action  lies 

In  his  true  nature ;  and  we  ourselves  compelled 

Even  '10  the  teeth  and  forehead  of  our  faults, 

To  give-in  evidence.     What  then?     What  rests? 

Try  what  repentance  can?     What  can  it  not? 

Yet  what  can  it  when  one  cannot  repent? 

O  wretched  state !     O  bosom  black  as  death ! 

O  limed  soul,  that  struggling  to  be  free 

Art  more  engaged  !     Help  angels  !     Make  assay  ! 

Bow,  stubborn  knees;  and,  heart  with  strings  of  steel, 

Be  soft  as  sinews  of  a  new-born  babe ! 

All  may  be  well." 

The  wretched  man  threw  down  the  book  and 
gazed  long  and  earnestly  out  into  his  starless  world. 

Then  he  ctirsed  himself  to  think  that  he  was  silly 
enough  to  try  to  repent.  He  picked  up  a  striking 
novel  and  tried  to  read.  He  hated  the  principal 
character  because  he   was  honest.      He  hated   him 


124  THE    IMPOSTER    UNMASKED. 

because  he  refused  to  smoke  and  drink.  He  hated 
him  because  he  told  the  truth.  He  did  not  read 
far  enough  to  see  how  the  villain  turned  out.  he 
didn't  want  to  know. 

The  next  night  he  went  to  a  theater  and  then 
another  and  finally  at  the  end  of  the  week  he  turned 
away  from  the  theater  cursing  the  gullibility  of  a 
fickle  public  and  the  hollowness  of  the  cheap  wit. 

He  went  into  his  room  and  locking  the  door  be- 
hind him  resolved  to  drown  his  conscience  in  strong 
drink.  The  accursed  poison  was  poured  down  his 
feverish  throat  until  he  sank  in  a  stupor  and  re- 
mained there  until  morning. 

At  the  breakfast  table  his  wife  expressed  surprise 
at  his  haggard  looks  and  bloodshot  eyes.  He  flew 
into  a  rage  and  left  the  table. 

Such  treatment  began  to  tell  on  her.  She  was 
no  longer  the  happy,  thoughtless  girl  of  a  few 
months  ago.  Her  life  was  unhappy.  When  her 
husband  first  acted  coldly  towards  her  she  did  not 
mind  it.  She  was  not  particular  so  long  as  she 
had  all  the  money  she  wanted.  But  now  in  addition 
to  his  coldness  and  cruelty  he  refused  to  give  so 
liberally,  and  even  refused  to  see  her  except  at  the 
breakfast  table. 

One  morning  she  made  a  pitiful  appeal  to  her 
husband :  "Oscar,  wdiat  have  I  done  that  you  hate 
me  so?  Tell  me  what  I  have  done  and  I'll  do  what 
I  can  to  right  the  wrong.  I  can't  stand  this  kind 
of  a  life." 

"Curse  you,"  he  hissed,  'T  hate  you  as  I  hate  my- 
self. You  are  no  more  to  blame  than  I  am.  I  mar- 
ried you  because  you  were  beautiful.  You  married 
me   because    von    thought   vou    would   be   benefited 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHI.ETE  125 

ill  a  social  way.  Help  me?  You  have  helped  me 
to  make  myself  accursed.  There  was  a  time  when 
you  could  have  helped  me,  but  it's  too  late  now. 
I  hate  you  as  I  hate  myself." 

After  Mr.  McDonald's  loss  of  home  and  position 
he  was  almost  crushed.  How  could  any  one  think 
that  he  had  misapplied  the  funds  of  the  bank.  Mrs. 
i\lcDonald's  brother  in  Scotland  learned  of  the  troub- 
les of  his  sister  and  her  husband  and  kept  sending 
a  small  amount  each  month  for  their  support.  At 
first  Mr.  McDonald  rebelled  against  taking  the 
money,  but  he  did  not  want  to  face  famine.  He 
spent  the  most  of  his  time  brooding  over  his  mis- 
fortune and  wondering  how  he  could  vindicate  him- 
self. He  watched  Mr.  Tupper's  movements  as 
closely  as  possible.  He  observed  his  associates  and 
companions.  Mr.  Tupper  had  changed  radically  and 
was  dissipating  to  a  fearful  degree  but  what  puz- 
zled him  was  to  find  where  Mr.  Tupper  had  used 
the  large  amount  said  to  have  been  taken.  He 
surely  was  in  collusion  with  some  one.  Thus  mus- 
ing and  wondering  and  suspecting,  month  after 
month  kept  slipping  by  and  finally  Mr.  McDonald 
was  ready  to  abandon  the  hope  of  ever  being  vindi- 
cated. 

Mr.  Tupper  kept  getting  deeper  and  deeper  into 
debt  until  one  day  he  realized  that  he  must  surely 
lose  his  position  by  the  end  of  the  month.  He  was 
in  disrepute  in  his  clubs  because  of  debts  and  dissi- 
pation. He  hated  his  home,  his  wife,  his  associates, 
his  native  city.  Wliy  not  take  all  the  money  he 
could  get  by  fair  means  or  foul  and  go  to  some  for- 
eign country  to  live  in  peace  and  plenty  ?  What  did 
he  care  for  the  depositors  or  the  bank? 


126  THE    IMPOSTKR     UNMAvSKKD. 

One  morning  the  cashier  and  clerks  were  in  a 
flurry  of  excitement.  Mr.  Tupper  had  gone,  and 
with  him  the  deposits.  The  papers  chronicled  Mr. 
Tupper's  fall,  and  a  large  reward  was  offered  for 
his  arrest.  The  officers  of  the  law  went  at  once  to 
Mr.  Tupper's  house. 

Mrs.  Tupper  was  completely  dazed  when  the 
officers  entered  the  house  to  arrest  her  husband. 
After  searching  the  house  one  officer  turned  to  her 
and  said:  "Madam,  I'm  sorry  to  be  compelled  to 
arrest  you  as  an  accomplice,  but  that  is  my  duty." 

Mrs.  Tupper  ran  to  the  opposite  corner  of  the 
room  and  stood  like  a  wild  animal  at  bay.  As  the 
officer  approached  her,  her  wild  screams  froze  the 
blood  in  his  veins.  She  was  finally  taken  away  a 
raving  maniac,  to  beat  her  life  out  against  the  cruel 
bars. 

There  was  almost  as  much  excitement  over  Mr. 
Tupper's  fall  as  there  had  been  over  Mr.  McDon- 
ald's failure. 

Every  one  seemed  anxious  for  the  capture  of  the 
faithless  man. 

Some  one  had  seen  the  fleeing  president  in  the 
big  woods  out  at  the  edge  of  the  city,  and  searching 
parties  were  soon  scouring  the  country.  One  morn- 
ing after  a  heavy  rain  had  passed,  Mr.  Tupper 
crawled  to  the  edge  of  a  cave  in  which  he  had  been 
hiding.  He  heard  the  deep  baying  of  bloodhounds 
and  a  sickly  feeling  drove  him  back  into  the  clammy 
darkness,  where  he  stood  petrified  with  fear.  Fin- 
ally the  sound  of  the  dogs  grew  fainter,  and  he 
again  crawled  out  to  steal  some  food  from  a  near- 
by farm  house. 

One  evening  a  searching  party  came  very  sud- 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  1 27 

(lenly  into  view.  Mr.  Tapper  hastily  climbed  a  tree 
and  hid  among  the  thick  branches.  The  party  halted 
for  a  few  moments  under  the  tree  and  he  heard 
their  conversation. 

The  leader  of  the  party  was  the  man  to  whom 
he  had  given  the  $2500.00  to  secure  him  the  nomi- 
nation as  mayor.  Like  a  wild  animal  he  glared 
down  upon  that  man  and  hated  him  with  all  the 
hatred  of  his  soul.  He  pulled  his  weapon  from 
his  pocket  and  drew  a  deadly  aim  upon  the  man — 
then  he  slowly  pushed  the  weapon  back  into  his 
pocket,  saying  to  himself,  "I'll  not  add  that  crime 
to  my  list." 

One  dark  night  a  man  stole  silently  into  the  great 
city  of  Cleveland.  He  found  a  newspaper  on  a  pile 
of  rubbish,  where  he  halted  for  a  moment  and 
paused  to  read  it.  He  was  dazed  as  he  saw  the 
head-lines,  "Mrs.  Oscar  Tupper  Dead !  Dies  a 
raving  maniac,  after  being  arrested  as  her  husband's 
accomplice !"  He  crushed  the  paper  and  moved 
out  and  on  to  the  little  cottage  once  called  home. 
The  house  was  dark.  There  was  no  sign  of  life. 
He  went  to  the  barn  and  crawled  into  it.  Groping 
around  he  found  and  lighted  a  lantern.  With  a 
trembling  hand  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Alexander 
McDonald.  Every  step  was  given  in  his  fall.  He 
explained  his  anguish  over  his  treachery.  He  told 
of  his  last  plan  to  escape  to  another  country.  As 
he  wiped  the  cold  sweat  from  his  brow  he  concluded 
with  these  words — 

"I  cannot  blame  any  one  but  myself.  When  I  read  in, 
a  paper  I  found  this  evening  about  the  unhappy  end  of 
the  woman  who  bore  my  name  I  felt  I  could  not  let  the 
blame  rest  upon  her.     While  it  is  true  she  was  not  much 


128  THK    IMPOSTER     UNMASKED. 

help  to  me,  she  was  not  a  partner  in  my  crimes.  It  will 
not  be  necessary  for  the  officers  or  those  who  once  pro- 
fessed to  be  my  friends  and  helped  me  into  crime  to 
search  for  me. 

Your  unworthy  servant, 

Oscar  Tupper." 

Putting  out  the  light,  he  crawled  out  of  the  barn 
and  moved  cautiously  to  Mr.  McDonald's  home  and 
placed  this  confession  in  the  mail  box  by  the  door. 
Then  he  glided  from  one  street  to  another  until  he 
paused  on  the  shore  of  the  great  lake.  Unfastening 
a  boat,  he  floated  silently  out  and  disappeared  for- 
ever in  the  restless  waves. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


HARMONY    IN    DIVERSITY. 


"And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God." 

Ruftis  left  Helen  in  San  Francisco  with  many 
misgivings.  He  wondered  how  she  would  get  along 
all  alone.  Yet  his  fears  were  quieted  every  time  her 
face  rose  before  him  as  he  had  seen  it  in  the  Holy 
Land.  He  prayed  nearly  every  hour  in  the  day. 
"Good  Lord  take  care  of  Miss  Helen."  He  secured 
employment  on  an  excursion  train  as  far  as  Chicago, 
but  could  not  go  further  unless  he  would  promise  to 
go  to  Boston.  He  couldn't  do  that  because  he  had 
orders  to  stop  at  Cleveland.  He  expressed  his  dis- 
appointment to  one  of  his  companions,  who  said, 
"Why  don't  you  tell  them  that  you  will  go  to  Bos- 
ton and  then  get  ofif  when  you  reach  Cleveland." 

"No,  sir,"  said  Rufus.  "I'se  not  gwine  to  tell  a 
lie.  No,  indeed.  I'se  asked  de  good  Lord  to  look 
after  a  friend  of  mine,  and  I'm  sure  he  doin'  it. 
Do  you  s'pose  I'd  go  back  on  de  Lord?    No,  sir!" 

A  new  man  took  the  place  of  Rufus  when  the 
special  arrived  in  Chicago.  Rufus  felt  sorely  dis- 
appointed as  he  walked  out  into  the  great  city.    He 

129 


I30  HARMONY     IN     DIVERSITY. 

liad  a  little  money  left,  but  he  difl  not  want  to  use 
it  until  he  was  compelled  to  do  so.  He  traveled 
for  days  in  the  great  city  seeking  employment.  At 
last,  foot-sore  and  weary,  he  despaired  of  getting 
work.  One  evening  he  noticed  a  cut-rate  ticket 
office  sign,  "To  Cleveland  for  $i.oo."  Rufus  went 
in,  purchased  a  second-class  ticket,  and  was  soon 
happy  on  the  way. 

On  arriving  in  Cleveland  he  at  once  consulted  a 
directory  and  found  that  there  were  several  McDon- 
alds. Running  down  the  list,  he  found  Everett 
McDonald's  name  and  address.  After  much  walk- 
ing, he  came  to  the  little  cottage  and  rang  the  bell. 

Liza  answered  the  bell.  As  she  opened  the  door 
and  saw  one  of  her  own  race  she  said  with  consid- 
erable importance,  "Well,  sah !" 

"I  has  a  message  for  Mista  Everett  McDonald. 
Is  he  here?" 

"No,  sah !  He  is  not  home.  Do  you  want  to 
leave  the  message  with  me?" 

"De  message  am  for  Everett  McDonald.  I  can- 
not give  it  to  any  one  but  jes'  him.  When  will  he 
be  in?" 

"Well,  sah,  he  done  went  away  some  time  ago, 
and  we  are  not  expecting  him  back  to  supper  to- 
night." 

"Will  he  be  here  tomorrow,  do  you  s'pose?" 

"Of  course,  he  won't.  What  do  you  suppose? 
He  is  in  de  East." 

"What  place  is  he  visitin'?" 

"Visitin' !     Mr.  Everett's  workin'." 

"Well,  wha'  is  he  workin'?  I'd  like  to  know, 
case  I  has  an  important  message  for  him." 

"Now,   what  can  be  so  'portant  dat    you    can't 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLKTE.  I3I 

tell  ine?     I'm  his  ole  Auntv,  and  lie  depends  on  me 
for  his  news." 

"I  has  a  message  from  one  of  his  best  friends, 
and  it  will  mean  a  heap  to  him.  I'se  not  goin'  to 
tell  you.  If  you  don't  tell  me  whar  he  is  and  he's 
kept  in  ign'ance  on  you'  account  I  imagine  his  old 
aunty  will  see  sure  nuff  fire  in  Mr.  Everett's  eyes 
when  she  does  see  him." 

"Have  you  had  your  supper?"  asked  Liza,  grow- 
ing a  little  more  friendly,  and  not  quite  sure  aboL.t 
what  she  should  do.  "The  folks  am  out,  and  there 
is  plenty  left." 

Rufus  gladly  accepted  the  invitation,  and  stepped 
in.  Liza  gave  him  a  splendid  supper,  and  again 
asked  him  what  he  wanted  with  Mr.  Everett. 

Rufus  was  firm  in  his  refusal.  As  he  started  to 
leave  the  house  he  said,  '  'Is  you  a  Christian?" 

"Yes,  indeed!" 

"You  believes  in  de  good  Lord  den  ?" 

"Guess  I  do." 

"Well,  if  you  don't  want  a  pow'ful  jedgment 
brought  down  on  you'  head  you'd  better  done  tell 
me  whar  Everett  McDonald  is,  sose  I  kin  help  him." 

"Well,"  said  Liza,  hesitatingly.  "Well,  sah,  his 
folks  am  gone,  and  he  is  in  de  East  in  mission 
work." 

This  was  all  Rufus  could  learn  from  her,  and  he 
went  away,  crestfallen.  He  visited  the  cottage  sev  - 
eral  times,  but  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDonald  could  not 
be  seen.  For  some  strange  reason,  Liza  was  afraid 
Rufus  wanted  to  harm  Mr.  Everett,  and  gave  him 
no  further  information  than  he  received  on  the  first 
visit. 

At  last  Rufus  secured  passage  on  a  steamer  to 


132  HARMONY    IN     DIVERSITY. 

Buffalo.  After  searching  through  Buffalo  he  de- 
cided to  go  further.  When  he  had  obtained  enough 
money  he  went  to  New  York  City.  He  felt  sure 
he  would  find  Mr.  Everett  there — but  after  looking 
through  all  the  mission  stations  he  decided  that  Mr. 
Everett  was  not  in  New  York. 

Finally,  he  had  an  opportunity  to  work  his  way 
to  Boston  on  a  steamer.  He  had  never  been  in 
Boston,  and  as  he  started  out  he  was  somewhat 
puzzled. over  the  directians  of  the  streets.  He  in- 
quired of  a  policeman  about  "mission  stations." 

The  good-natured  Irishman  looked  at  Rufus  and 
said:     "Are  ye  a  missionary  from  Chiny?" 

"No,"  said  Rufus,  "I'se  jest  come  from  Ireland." 

"Begorra,  ye  look  like  ye  came  from  Cork,"  said 
the  amused  policeman,  as  he  gave  him  directions. 

Rufus  tried  to  follow  the  instructions.  After 
winding  and  twisting  for  a  couple  of  hours  he  came 
upon  another  policeman  that  looked  very  familiar. 
He  asked  him  about  misson  stations. 

"Well,"  said  the  policeman,  "Oi  think  ye  are  the 
missionary  from  Ireland  Oi  directed  a  couple  of 
hours  ago,  aren't  ye?" 

Rufus  looked  at  the  ofiticer,  and  then  up  at  the 
Union  station.  Sure  enough  he  had  been  traveling 
in  a  circle. 

The  policeman  directed  him  again,  and  again  he 
started  out.  He  walked  and  walked,  rested  and 
then  started  out  again.  At  last,  thoroughly  mysti- 
fied, he  touched  a  policeman  on  the  shoulder  to 
inquire  again. 

As  the  policeman  looked  up,  he  saw  the  same 
fellow  who  had  inquired  of  him  twice  before. 

"I  can't  tell  wha  the  trouble  is,  wid  me  or  de 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  133 

streets  of  Eoston,"  said  Rufus,  in  answer  to  the 
policeman.  "I'se  been  in  large  cities,  but  I'se  never 
been  so  twisted  in  my  life." 

"Oi  don't  wonder  at  yer  gettin'  bewildered,"  said 
the  officer.  "Oi've  lived  here  all  me  life  and  be- 
gorra  Oi  have  to  carry  a  chart  and  compass  and 
lunch  wid  me  when  Oi'm  off  duty.  Oi'm  off  duty 
in  a  half  hour  and  if  ye'll  wait  Oi'll  steer  ye  to  a 
bunk  for  the  night." 

In  a  couple  of  days  Rufus  got  over  his  twisted 
feeling  by  remembering  how  Washington  Street  ran 
and  where  the  State  House  stood. 

At  last  he  had  all  the  mission  stations  located 
and  after  visiting  several  of  them,  came  to  the  Bap- 
tist Mission  where  Everett  McDonald  was  laboring. 
A  good  lady  passing  by  informed  him  that  there 
would  be  no  service  in  the  chapel  until  Sunday 
morning. 

On  Sunday  morning  he  went  to  the  mission  sta- 
tion and  saw  a  tall,  handsome  young  man  in  the 
pulpit.  He  had  a  wealth  of  wavy  black  hair,  a 
smooth-shaven  face  and  big  blue  eyes.  His  voice 
was  not  of  a  very  low  pitch,  but  it  was  full  of  mel- 
ody. As  Rufus  Hstened  to  the  helpful  and  charm- 
ing talk,  he  said  to  himself,  "If  dis  is  the  genien 
Miss  Helen  loves  I  don't  blame  her.  But  my !  how 
kin  I  ever  git  up  enough  grit  to  give  him  de  whole 
message?  But  I  hasn't  toiled  across  de  country  to 
be  a  coward." 

After  the  service  was  over,  Rufus  went  forward 
and  shook  hands  with  Everett  McDonald  and  said : 

"I'd  like  to  chat  wid  you  after  dese  folks  has 
gone." 

"Certainly,     said  Everett,  "take  a  seat." 


134  HARMONY    IN     DIVERSITY. 

The  people  tarried  quite  a  while  to  visit  with 
each  other  and  talk  with  their  spiritual  leader. 

At  last  all  were  gone  but  one  degraded  looking 
fellow  to  whom  Everett  had  been  earnestly  talking. 
The  fellow  was  under  deep  conviction,  and  Everett 
finally  persuaded  him  to  kneel  in  prayer. 

Rufus  knelt  with  them.  Everett  prayed  so  simply 
and  earnestly  and  powerfully  for  the  struggling 
sinner,  that  Rufus  could  not  help  raising  his  head 
to  look  at  the  sight.  The  light  was  reflected  full 
in  Everett's  uplifted  face.  One  hand  was  resting 
on  the  repenting  sinner  and  the  other  was  lifted 
to  heaven.  As  he  continued  in  supplication  the  tears 
rolled  like  sacred  sparkling  diamonds  down  his 
cheeks. 

As  Rufus  looked  on  that  sight  he  remembered 
another  tear-stained  face  he  had  gazed  upon,  and 
pressing  his  head  into  his  hands  he  prayed,  "O, 
Lord,  if  you'se  can  light  up  a  face  in  dis  mission 
house  as  well  as  upon  Mt.  Olivet,  come  into  my 
black  face !" 

The  penitent  prayed,  and  as  he  concluded  Rufus 
unconsciously  sang  in  his  melodious  and  consecrated 
voice : 

"I  am  coming  to  the  cross ; 

I  am  poor  and  weak  and  blind ; 
I  am  counting  all  but  dross ; 

I  shall  full  salvation  find." 

As  he  sang  the  last  verse — 
"In  the  promises  I  trust, 

Now  I  feel  the  blood  applied  ; 
I  am  prostrate  in  the  dust, 

T  with  Christ  am  crucified," 

the  penitent  leaped  to  his  feet  a  free  man  and  praised 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  I35 

God  for  a  full  salvation.  It  was  difficult  to  tell 
which  one  of  the  three  was  the  happiest.  Finally  the 
redeemed  man  w^ent  out  and  Rufus  and  Everett  were 
left  alone. 

"What  can  I  do  for  you?"  said  Everett  as  he 
wiped  the  happy  tears  out  of  his  eyes. 

"Mr.  Everett,  I  has  done  you  a  wrong  and  Fse 
traveled  across  de  continent  to  rieht  de  wrong." 

Everett  was  amazed  at  such  a  statement,  for  he 
had  never  seen  the  colored  man  before. 

Rufus  continued :  "I  was  for  a  long  time  a  serv- 
ant in  de  Day  home  in  Columbus,  Ohio." 

"Is  Helen  alive  and  well?"  quickly  asked  the 
excited  listener. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Everett.  Jes'  wait  and  I  will  tell  you 
all.  Helen's  father  is  de  best  Cap'n  dat  has  ever 
been  stationed  in  Columbus.  Besides  bein'  a  fine 
soldier  he  is  also  a  man  of  heaps  of  money  an'  style. 
Helen  is  de  only  child,  and  he  wants  her  to  marry 
some  gemen  of  very  high  standin'.  After  a  trip 
to  de  University  whar  you  were  attendin'  he  comes 
back  pow'fully  decided  dat  Miss  Helen  should  not 
go  wid  you." 

"Well,  I  know  all  that.     Go  on,"  said  Everett. 

"Den  he  'lows  dat  he  will  send  Miss  Helen 
abroad  wid  her  mother.  I  was  sent  along  to  keep 
any  of  her  letters  reachin'  you  or  any  of  yours 
reachin'  her.  And,  Mr.  Everett,  i  beg  you'  pardon 
for  I  did  it." 

"Never  mind  that,  go  on  with  your  story.  I  want 
to  know  about  Helen,  not  about  your  faults.  Of 
course,  I  forgive  you ;  go  on." 

"Well,  de  next  mornin'  after  we  gits  home  from 
abroad   Miss  Helen   writes  a  letter  to  you  and   is 


136  HARMONY    IN     DIVERSITY. 

gvvine  to  send  it.     No — Mr.  Everett,  I  can't  tells 
you  all,  but  Miss  Helen  is  ail  right." 

Everett  leaped  to  his  feet  and,  with  flashing  eyes, 
said,  "Go  on,  tell  me  all." 

"Well,  Mr.  Everett,  Capt'n  Day  done  ordered  her 
to  give  him  de  letter  and  go  back  on  vou.  Because 
she  would  not,  he  druv  her  away  from  home.  I 
couldn't  think  of  her  goin'  away  alone,  so  I  fol- 
lowed her  'til  she  landed  in  San  Francisco,  where 
she  is  now.  I  tole  her  'bout  what  I  had  done,  and 
she  'mediately  sent  me  out  to  find  you." 

"Poor  Helen!     Has  she  any  money?" 

"O,  yes,  she  has  money,  and  tole  me  to  be  sure 
and  tell  you  dat  she's  happy.  She  didn't  want  you 
to  change  any  of  you'  plans  for  her  sake." 

Everett  plied  Rufus  with  questions  until  he  had 
every  detail  from  the  time  Helen  had  left  school 
until  Rufus  had  left  her — except  that  Rufus  did 
not  tell  that  he  had  given  her  his  savings  and  was 
himself  penniless. 

Finally  Everett  said:  "Rufus,  you  must  go  back 
to  Columbus  and  see  Captain  and  Mrs.  Day.  Find 
out  if  they  will  give  me  an  interview.  I  cannot 
think  of  having  a  home  broken  up  on  my  account. 
Captain  Day  does  not  understand  me.  Do  not  tell 
him  where  Helen  is ;  do  not  write  Helen  that  T  am 
going  to  Columbus.  Just  ask  Captain  Day  if  he 
will  give  me  an  interview.  If  he  does  not,  then  I 
will  go  to  Helen." 

Rufus  left  two  days  afterward  for  the  Capital 
City.  Everett  was  restless  and  anxious.  Saturday 
night  came,  and  still  no  news. 

The  next  morning  was  Comnnmion  service  in 
the  chapel.  The  place  was  crowded  and  a  few  stood 
at  the  back  part  of  the  room. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  137 

The  services,  always  impressive,  seemed  doubly 
so  that  morning.  The  theme  of  the  discourse  was 
"The  Loneliness  of  Jesus."  The  minister  tore  aside 
the  drapery  of  Scripture  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
stood  before  that  audience.  They  saw  Him  in  the 
manger,  in  the  carpenter  shop,  they  saw  Him  cast 
out  from  His  home  and  kindred.  They  saw  Him 
driven  by  misguided  men  from  one  place  to  an- 
other, and  all  wept  with  Everett  as  they  saw  Him 
nailed  to  the  cross  for  their  sakes.  Then  he  ap- 
plied the  subject  and  asked  how  many  were  driving 
Jesus  from  their  hearts  and  homes.  He  said  too 
many  people  forgot  that  this  same  Master  had  said 
"Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least 
of  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me."  As  he 
was  applying  the  last  thought  with  dramatic  power 
a  very  well  dressed  lady  in  the  back  part  of  the  room 
fainted  away.  She  was  taken  into  the  vestibule 
and  soon  revived.  She  persisted  in  going  back  to 
the  service,  saying:  "The  air  was  a  little  oppres- 
sive.    I  will  be  all  right  now." 

Everett  asked  the  communicants  to  come  and 
kneel  at  the  altar.  The  little  altar  was  crowded  for 
the  fifth  time.  As  the  last  offer  was  made  five  more 
came  forward.  Everett  gave  an  unconscious  start 
as  the  well  dressed  lady  approached  and  knelt  at 
the  altar.  Had  he  ever  seen  her  face  before? 
Where?  As  they  arose  he  could  not  give  them  any 
words  of  comfort  and  guidance.  He  simply  said, 
'"Go  in  peace." 

After  the  service,   Everett  was  about  to  go  out 
when  the  woman  stepped  into  the  room  and  said, 
"You  are  Everett  McDonald,  aren't  you?" 
"Yes,  madam." 


138  HARMONY    IN     DIVERSITY. 

"I  am  Helen  Day's  mother.  O,  Mr.  McDonald, 
if  you  could  only  tell  me  Helen  was  alive  and  well 
I  would  be  the  happiest  mother  on  earth."  She  sank 
at  his  feet  with  uplifted  hands  and  agonized  coun- 
tenance. Everett  took  her  by  the  hand  and  said : 
"I  have  just  learned  of  Helen's  whereabouts.  She 
is  alive  and  well." 

The  tired,  weary,  overjoyed  mother  sank  uncon- 
scious to  the  floor.  Everett  picked  her  up  in  his 
strong  arms  and  laid  her  gently  on  a  seat.  He 
placed  his  coat  under  her  head  and  stood  fanning 
her  with  his  hat.  When  she  revived  she  looked 
strangely  around,  and  then  everything  came  back 
to  her  as  she  saw  Everett  McDonald's  anxious  face. 

"I'm  all  right,"  she  said,  "only  I  am  so  weak  and 
nervous.  It  has  been  so  long  since  Helen  left  home, 
and  I  have  suffered  so  much  that  I  have  little 
strength  left.  Is  Helen  with  you?  Her  father  and 
I  both  love  her  and  would  gladly  welcome  her  back 
to  the  old  home.    O,  may  I  see  her?" 

"She  is  not  with  me,  Mrs.  Day.  I  only  learned 
the  facts  in  the  case  a  little  less  than  a  week  ago." 
He  then  told  her  what  he  had  heard  from  Rufus. 

"Dear,  dear  Rufus !"  said  Mrs.  Day,  again  and 
again.     "And  so  Helen  is  in  San  Francisco?" 

Then  Mrs.  Day  told  Everett  about  the  search  she 
and  Captain  Day  had  been  making,  how  they  had 
left  their  old  home,  and  how  they  had  finally  de- 
cided to  search  separately. 

As  Everett  listened  to  her  pitiful  story,  his  heart 
was  deeply  pained.  The  veins  stood  out  like  whip- 
cords on  his  forehead,  and  the  cold  perspiration 
came  in  every  pore.  Finally  he  said:  "Mrs.  Day, 
vou  are  too  weak  to  walk  back  to  the  hotel.     You 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHT^ETK.  139 

rest  here  a  moment  and  I  will  hail  a  cab."  He  soon 
had  a  cab  at  the  door  and  went  with  Mrs.  Day  to 
the  hotel. 

He  then  sent  the  following  telegram : 

"Miss  Helen  Day,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Care  of  Salvation  Army : 
"Your  mother  is  here  with  me.     Can  you  return  to  your 
old  home?     There  is  a  warm  welcome  for  you.    Answer  at 
once. 

"Everett  McDonald." 

The  next  day  Everett  McDonald  received  the 
following : 

"Everett  McDonald,  Boslon,  Mass. : 

"Father    is    here    with    me.      He   is    unable    to    leave    at 
present.     Send  mother  here  at  once. 

"Helen  Day." 

Everett  never  forgot  the  look  of  joy  that  came 
into  Mrs.  Day's  face  as  he  read  the  message  to  her. 
"Isn't  God  good  ?"  she  said,  as  she  brushed  the  tears 
from  her  cheeks. 

Everett  walked  over  to  the  window  and  stood  si- 
lent for  several  moments.  Then  he  said,  "Mrs. 
Day,  you  will  have  just  three  hours  to  get  ready  for 
the  train  that  runs  through  without  change  to  San 
Francisco.  You  will  arrive  there  Saturday  morn- 
ing at  10:30.  I  purchased  your  ticket  on  the  way 
up  here." 

Mrs.  Day  was  soon  ready  but  refused  to  ride  to 
the  station.  Outside  in  the  crowded  street  she  took 
Everett's  arm,  and  they  walked  slowly  to  the  depot. 
She  tried  to  persuade  Everett  to  go  with  her,  but 
he  said,  "O,  no,  you  go.  I  can't  leave  now.  Wait 
and  see  what  Mr.  Day  says." 

Of  course,  the  train  seemed  to  go  slowly,  and 
yet   it  was  the  overland  liinited  hurrying  forward 


I40  HARMONY    IN     DIVERSITY. 

with  the  greatest  speed  possible.  Across  prairies, 
around  hills,  through  valleys  and  under  mountains 
— on  the  train  sped  until  Saturday  morning,  when 
it  swung  into  the  San  Francisco  depot. 

Helen  and  Prince  were  waiting  with  intense  anx- 
iety, for  it  seemed  that  even  Prince  knew  Mrs.  Day 
was  coming.  As  Mrs.  Day  stepped  from  the  train 
Prince  was  beside  himself  with  joy  and  barked 
with  wildest  delight.  Mrs.  Day  was  hysterical  and 
it  was  some  minutes  before  she  could  regain  her 
usual  composure. 

"Where  is  father?"  she  asked. 

"He  was  quite  sick  when  he  reached  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  had  to  be  taken  to  the  hospital.  He  is 
very  much  improved,  and  will  soon  be  able  to  be 
out.  I  told  him  that  I  had  heard  from  you  and 
that  you  were  all  right.  The  doctor  thinks  we  had 
better  not  excite  him  too  much.  You  can  see  him 
in  a  day  or  two." 

Mrs.  Day  v/ent  around  with  Helen  through  her 
M'onderland,  and  seemed  to  grow  young  again  as 
she  watched  Helen  take  care  of  the  little  tots.  As 
the  children  were  about  to  retire  each  one  would, 
kneel  by  his  little  bed  and  repeat  a  prayer,  and  in- 
variably conclude,  "Bless  Miss  Helen." 

Mrs.  Day  said  as  they  retired  at  night,  "Helen, 
it  is  no  wonder  you  were  protected  when  all  those 
dear  little  children  were  praying  for  you." 

One  day  as  Helen  carried  some  flowers  to  the 
hospital  for  her  father  she  said,  "Mother  is  coming 
out  to  San  Francisco  to  the  hospital  before  long." 

"I  am  so  glad,"  said  the  weak  man,  "for  I  am  so 
anxious  to  see  her.  That  is  the  one  thing  I  lack  to 
make  me  supremely  happy." 


THE     CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  I 

The  next  day  the  one  thin^  Captan  Day  lacked 
was  supphed,  for  some  one  besides  Helen  arranged 
the  flowers  and  ministered  to  his  wants. 

As  soon  as  Captain  Day  was  able  to  be  out  of 
the  hospital  he  had  some  deli2:htful  drives  about 
the  city.  One  day  he  learned  all  the  facts  about 
Everett  McDonald  from  Mrs.  Day.  Then  a  letter 
was  forwarded  in  the  large  mail  that  had  been 
waiting  for  months  at  Columbus  that  made  him 
see  Everett  McDonald  in  a  still  clearer  light.  It 
ran  thus : 

"Dear  Capt.  Day :  I  write  you  at  the  earliest  possible 
convenience  in  regard  to  some  things  I  have  learned  about 
my  former  room-mate,  Everett  McDonald.  The  poor  fam- 
ily in  the  college  town  where  we  saw  Mr.  McDonald  go 
was  not  related  to  him  in  any  way.  He  was  the  means  of 
bringing  not  only  that  family  but  six  others  into  the  Chris- 
tian life.  Mr.  McDonald  is  a  far  nobler  man  than  I  ever 
dreamed  he  was.  Besides  I  have  also  learned  that  his 
father  did  not  defraud  one  person  out  of  a  penny.  Al- 
though the  family  is  poor,  they  are  all  honorable.  What  I 
did  was  what  I  believed  to  be  right,  and  yet  it  all  savored 
somewhat  of  jealousy,  which  I  am  happy  to  say  does  not 
now  exist. 

Believe  me  very  truly  your  friend, 

Charles  Haskell." 

One  evening  Captain  Day  handed  Helen  a  mes- 
sage, and  directed  her  to  send  it.  "Read  it  aloud, 
Helen,"  and  Helen  read : 

"Everett  McDonald,  Boston,  Mass. : 

"I  appreciate  fully  all  you  have  done  for  us.  When  we 
are  in  a  position  to  do  so  we  will  gladly  welcome  you  to 
our  home.  Capt.  Day." 

"And  I  shall  send  this,"  said  Helen. 

"Yes,  rny  daughter.  I  have  been  misled  and  I 
have  done  wrong.  All  I  can  do  to  right  the  wrong 
will   be   done." 


142  HARMONY    IN     DIVERSITY. 

Helen  took  her  father  around  to  see  what  she 
had  been  doing.  Captain  Day  was  perfectly 
amazed  at  Helen's  work.  As  he  saw  the  devotion 
of  the  little  ones  to  Helen  he  said,  "li  I  had  an 
army  that  was  as  loyal  to  me  as  these  little  ones 
are  to  Helen  I  could  conquer  the  world." 

The  second  week  after  being  able  to  be  out,  he 
was  by  Helen's  side  for  the  worship  in  the  Friendly 
Inn.  He  had  listened  several  mornings  to  Helen 
as  she  read  the  Holy  Book  and  prayed  for  the  chil- 
dren. This  morning  the  horny  hand  of  the  stern 
soldier  became  gentle  as  he  took  in  his  hand  instead 
of  the  sword  of  steel  the  sword  of  the  spirit.  As 
he  began  to  read  he  felt  more  and  more  that  the 
great  things  of  this  world  could  be  accomplished 
not  by  might  nor  by  power,  but  by  the  Lord's  spirit 
of  love.  His  hair  was  gray,  but  his  face  was  young 
and  it  beamed  with  the  gentleness  of  a  true  soldier 
of  the  cross.  He  closed  the  book  with  a  tender 
touch  and  knelt  among  the  children.  As  Helen  for 
the  first  time  heard  her  father  lift  his  voice  in  praise 
and  thanksgiving  to  the  giver  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift  her  intense  joy  found  expression  in  a 
flood  of  happy  tears. 


CHAPTER  X. 


A  CLOUDLESS  MORNING. 


"We  will  rejoice  in  thy  salvation,  and  in  the  name  of 
our  God  we  will  set  up  our  banners :  the  Lord  fulfill  all 
thy  petitions." 

The  decision  of  Everett  McDonald  in  regard  to 
the  prize  fight  was  not  followed  by  any  regret.  He 
asked  himself  the  question  many  times :  "Why  did 
I  entertain  such  a  proposition  for  a  moment  ?" 

The  Harvard  boys  who  had  arranged  for  Ever- 
ett's overthrow  were  at  first  dumbfounded.  They 
could  not  believe  Dempsey  had  done  his  best,  yet 
they  had  to  confess  that  McDonald  handled  himself 
remarkably  well.  Finally  one  of  the  fellows  named 
Bob  for  short  decided  to  see  Dempsey.  As  he 
was  ushered  into  the  presence  of  Dempsey  he  felt  a 
little  uneasy,  and  yet  he  proceeded  at  once  with  his 
inquiry. 

Dempsey  said:  "Never  get  another  professional 
to  face  that  fellow.  He  is  the  hardest  proposition  I 
ever  faced.  I  did  my  best  to  put  him  out,  but  the 
fact  of  the  matter  is  he  got  the  best  of  me.  I  am 
satisfied,  and  so  is  my  backer,  that  he  could  have  put 
me  ottt  several  different  times  if  he  had  desired  to 
do  so.  My  manager  has  offered  him  a  big  purse  to 
143 


144  A     CI^OUDLESS     MORNING. 

figiit  for  the  championship  of  the  world,  but  he 
refuses  to  enter  the  ring.  He  is  preaching  in  a 
Baptist  mission  station,  and  I  tell  you  he's  a  comer. 
If  he  knows  how  to  handle  men  physically  he  also 
knows  how  to  handle  them  spiritually.  He  invited 
me  to  the  chapel  and  I  went  for  the  fun  of  the  thing, 
and,  sir,  before  I  left  he  had  me  on  my  knees — the 
first  time  I  went  there  of  my  own  accord  since 
mother's  death.  I  had  a  thousand  objections,  but  he 
smothered  every  one  of  them.  Then  when  he  spoke 
of  mothers'  prayers  for  their  boys  and  how  some 
were  looking  over  the  battlements  of  heaven  with 
anxious  faces,  he  struck  me  over  the  heart  and 
brought  me  to  my  knees.  And  Bible !  that  fellow 
knows  the  rules,  I  tell  you." 

"Are  you  going  to  preach  ?"  said  Bob,  with  a 
smile. 

"O,  no ;  I  don't  intend  to  preach,  but  I'm  going 
to  quit  the  ring  just  the  same.  My  contract  runs 
out  after  ten  more  exhibition  nights,  and  then  I'm 
done  with  the  ring.  I  get  $250.00  a  night  for  exhi- 
bitions, and  that  isn't  so  much,  but  it's  a  great  deal 
when  you  are  going  to  stop  for  $5.00  per  day.  I'm 
to  have  a  place  as  instructor  in  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  gym- 
nasium. 'Tisn't  much  money,  but  it's  like  your 
divinity  student  says,  I'll  have  more  money  in  the 
long  run." 

"Well,"  said  Bob,  "I  don't  see  why  you  have  to 
quit  the  exhibition  business  to  be  a  Christian." 

"How  can  I  pray,  'lead  me  not  into  temptation' 
and  then  go  hunting  temptation?  My  manager 
says  I'm  foolish,  'but  I'm  not  in  my  new  role  for 
compliments  and  bouquets.  I  don't  Cc.re  what  other 
people  say.    x^re  you  a  Christian?" 


THK    CHRISTIAN    aTHLETR.  145 

This  question  brought  a  negative  answer  from 
Bob  and  a  hasty  retreat.  He  hadn't  come  to  be 
interviewed  on  the  question  of  religion.  He  simply 
wanted  to  know  if  Dempsey  had  done  his  best  that 
night  in  the  gymnasium.  He  went  back  to  the  boys 
with  the  news — all  except  Dempsey's  conversion. 
Dempsey  had  done  his  best.  Dempsey's  manager 
had  offered  McDonald  a  large  sum  to  fight  for  the 
championship  of  the  world  and  McDonald  had 
refused.  The  boys  overwhelmed  McDonald  with 
congratulations.  He  was  courted  and  dined  and 
lionized  after  student  fashion.  Bob  was  especially 
enthusiastic  over  Everett.  The  more  he  saw  him 
the  better  he  liked  him.  He  invited  Everett  up  to 
his  rooms  and  asked  him  to  room  with  him. 

"I  can't  do  that,  Bob.  I  have  a  very  small  in- 
come." 

"Never  mind  about  the  money.  I  have  plenty, 
and  besides  the  rent  is  all  paid  in  advance." 

"Would  you  object  to  my  reading  the  Bible  and 
praying  every  night?" 

"Certainly  not.  I'm  not  a  Christian  myself,  but 
I  don't  object  to  other  people  being  Christians  if 
they  wish.  I  expect  to  be  one  myself  some  day,  but 
not  now.    You  will  come,  won't  you?" 

Everett  decided  he  would.  His  room  in  the  city 
was  not  a  very  comfortable  one,  and  since  he  had 
quit  work  on  the  dock  he  could  room  in  Cambridge 
very  conveniently.  Besides,  here  was  an  opportunity 
to  do  good. 

He  moved  in  and  found  Bob  a  very  fine  fellow. 
Everett  and  Bob  soon  became  real  chums.  They 
wrestled  together,  boxed  together,  rowed  together, 
and  even  on  Sunday  Bob  went  with  Everett  to  the 
Mission. 


146  A    Cr<OUDI.ESS    MORNING. 

The  subject  of  religion  was  not  mentioned  except 
at  night,  and  then  only  to  read  the  Bible  and  pray. 
When  Everett  reached  for  his  Bible  Bob  always 
laid  aside  his  work  and  knelt  when  Everett  knelt. 
Bob  was  thoroughly  impressed  with  Everett's  fear- 
less and  manly  religion.  Bob  was  also  deeply 
impressed  with  the  fact  that  he  had  never  heard 
Everett  apologize  for  his  religion. 

He  began  to  say  to  himself:  "If  I  could  have 
that  kind  of  religion  I  would  be  happy." 

One  night  Everett  read  about  Nicodemus.  Then 
he  explained  so  clearly  to  Bob's  mind  the  way  to  be 
saved.  As  they  knelt  together  Everett  prayed 
earnestly  for  all  those  who  had  not  given  their  hearts 
to  Christ. 

When  Everett  arose  Bob  remained  upon  his 
knees.  Everett  knelt  by  his  chum  and  again  ex- 
plained the  way  and  again  prayed. 

As  Bob  arose  he  said :  "McDonald,  my  dear  fel- 
low, it's  all  clear.  Give  me  your  hand.  I'm  going 
to  write  to  the  old  folks  at  home.  They  have  been 
praying  for  me  for  years.  And  the  old  minister,  too. 
I  must  write  to  him."  Bob  not  only  told  his  experi- 
ence to  the  old  folks  and  the  old  minister,  but  also 
to  his  classmates  and  the  people  at  the  mission. 

Everett's  work  at  the  Mission  grew^  constantly  in 
importance.  The  little  room  would  no  longer 
accommodate  the  people  who  came  to  worship. 
Everett  placed  the  matter  before  the  missionary 
society.  They  had  observed  the  prosperous  condi- 
tion of  the  Mission  but  had  no  funds  to  build  a  new 
chapel. 

"When  does  the  Baptist  State  Association  meet  ?" 
asked  Everett  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society. 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  147 

"Next  month — the  tenth,  in  Tremont  Temple," 
said  the  Secretary. 

"I  wonder  if  I  could  have  about  fifteen  minutes 
to  present  the  work  and  need  of  city  missions?" 

"Try.  It  would  be  a  capital  idea  and  I'll  help  to 
get  you  a  chance." 

The  Program  Committee  was  found,  and  after 
much  pleading  Everett  McDonald  was  assigned  a 
place  on  the  program.  He  was  to  have  the  last 
fifteen  minutes  before  adjourning  for  dinner — the 
most  undesirable  place  on  the  program,  as  the  peo- 
ple would  be  restless  and  uneasy  about  that  time. 
Still  Everett  felt  elated  over  having  any  place 
assismed  him.  Since  his  ordination  Everett  had 
never  spoken  before  his  brethren.  He  felt  uneasy 
about  speaking  before  the  State  Association,  but 
the  need  of  the  mission  must  be  presented. 

He  told  Bob  of  his  fears  and  tremblings.  Bob 
said:  "Brace  up.  Don't  worry.  Tell  them  about 
the  needs  of  the  Mission,  not  about  yourself.  I'll 
sit  in  the  audience  and  pray  for  you." 

The  tenth  of  the  month  arrived  and  the  State 
Association  assembled  in  the  Temple.  Everett  was 
so  nervous  and  restless  he  could  not  sit  still.  Bob 
kept  saying,. "Keep  your  nerve,  old  fellow.  You'll 
come  out  all  right." 

Several  of  the  speakers  had  used  a  few  minutes 
more  than  their  allotted  time,  and  they  were  run- 
ning a  full  half-hour  behind  the  schedule  on  the 
program. 

"You  don't  suppose  they  will  shut  me  out  of  my 
fifteen  minutes,  do  you  Bob?" 

"No !  Of  course  they  won't.  You'll  get  a  hear- 
ine." 


148  A    CI^OUDI^KSS    MORNING. 

Just  then  the  last  speaker  concluded  a  rather  tire- 
some but  scholarly  address  on  "Foreign  Missions." 

The  audience  moved  uneasily,  and  a  few  left  the 
room.  "Ladies  and  gentlemen,"  said  the  chairman, 
"please  remain  seated,  for  a  few  minutes.  There  is 
one  speaker  yet  to  be  heard.  As  we  have  run  con- 
siderably over  our  time,  I  will  ask  the  Rev.  Mr. 
McDonald  to  use  five  instead  of  fifteen  minutes  in 
presenting  the  "Need  of  City  Missions." 

Everett  rose,  pale  and  trembling.  He  bowed  to 
the  chairman  and  then  turned  his  eyes  to  the  sea  of 
faces  before  him.  He  was  frightened  for  a  second, 
and  then  he  saw  Bob's  face,  and  the  small  "mission 
station"  rose  before  him. 

"Ladies  and  gentlemen,"  he  said,  "if  I  were  to 
present  the  needs  of  Tremont  Temple  I  would  not 
need  even  five  minutes — this  grand  Temple  is  hal- 
lowed by  holy  memories  that  crowd  in  upon  us  and 
our  tongues  remain  silent  while  our  hearts  speak." 

As  his  clear,  earnest  voice  rang  out,  the  great 
audience  grew  strangely  quiet  and  a  few  on  the 
way  out  returned  to  their  seats. 

"But,"  he  continued,  "I  am  to  speak  neither  of 
Tremont  Temple  nor  of  the  multitudes  who  worship 
here.  I  speak  to  you  of  an  unknown  'Mission  Sta- 
tion' where  the  common  man  has  not  a  place  to  bow 
his  knee  before  the  God  who  can  help  him  in  his 
struggle.  The  little  place  is  too  small  to  accommo- 
date the  poor  people  who  are  hungering  and  thirst- 
ing for  righteousness.  The  Missionary  Society 
heartily  approves  the  mission  and  agrees  that  the 
mission  holds  a  strategic  position,  yet  they  are 
unable  to  provide  a  larger  building. 


THK    CHRISTIAN    ATHLKTR.  T49 

"The  littk  Mission  is  as  obscure  and  almost  as 
objectionable  as  the  manger  at  Bethlehem,  yet  like 
that  manger  sacred  memories  cluster  about  it  and 
for  it  the  angels  have  often  tuned  their  harps.  We 
have  not  the  stately  columns  nor  ivory  halls  nor 
golden  candelabra,  but  God's  almighty  power  has 
there  enabled  the  prodigal  to  leave  his  husks,  the 
beggar  his  rags  and  the  harlot  her  sins.  I  plead  for 
enough  money  here  and  now,  so  that  the  poor  of  our 
city  will  not  have  to  be  shut  out  from  God's  pres- 
ence and  worship.  Let  us  pray  for  such  a  collec- 
tion," and  Everett  lifted  his  voice  and  arms  to  the 
most  High  God  for  help.  If  he  bad  riveted  the 
attention  of  every  one  by  his  impassioned  speech, 
he  now  won  them  by  his  powerful  and  prevailing 
prayer. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayer  the  pastor  of 
Tremont  Temple  took  his  hat  and  started  for  the 
collection.  A  half-dozen  other  ministers  followed 
his  example.  Some  of  the  collectors  were  compelled 
t'o  crowd  down  the  bills  to  keep  them  from  falling 
out  of  their  hats. 

As  the  men  came  back  with  enough  to  build  and 
equip  an  ideal  mission  station,  Everett  stood  up  to 
thank  the  people,  but  he  could  not.  His  tears  fell 
upon  the  offering  and  consecrated  it  as  he  lifted  his 
face  and  said,  "Thank  God."  The  inspired  audience 
arose  and  sang,  "Praise  God  from  whom  all  bless- 
ings flow." 

It  seemed  almost  like  a  dream  when  all  the  money 
was  handed  over  to  him.  "It  is  all  yours  to  build  a 
house  of  God,"  said  the  chairman. 

Everett  turned  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary  Society  and  said :     "I   will  make  you  my 


150  A    CLOUDLESS    MORNING. 

banker  and  will  call  on  you  for  such  amounts  as 
we  need  from  time  to  time."  He  was  kept  busy  for 
over  "a  half-hour  shaking-  hands  with  those  who 
pressed  forward  to  wish  him  Godspeed  in  his  work. 

He  suddenly  wondered  where  Bob  was.  He 
looked  around,  but  didn't  see  him.  He  put  on  his 
hat  and  hurried  out.  As  he  was  about  to  go  out  the 
side  entrance  he  ran  into  Bob,  who  stood  there  wip- 
ing his  eyes.  "I'm  no  Methodist,"  said  Bob,  "but  if 
I  hadn't  got  out  of  there  I  guess  they  would  have 
thought  a  whole  camp  meeting  had  broken  loose. 
Say,  can  you  lend  me  enough  to  get  back  to  Cam- 
bridge? I  had  over  a  hundred  dollars  before  you 
made  that  speech." 

Everett  and  Bob  lunched  together  and  then  Ever- 
ett loaned  him  some  money.  As  Bob  took  the 
money  he  Said :  "If  I  am  as  successful  before  juries 
as  you  were  before  that  audience,  I  guess  I'll  be 
more  than  satisfied." 

Everett  purchased  an  ideal  spot  that  afternoon 
for  his  mission  house,  and  engaged  an  architect.  As 
he  had  his  mind  pretty  well  made  up  what  kind  of  a 
building  he  wanted,  the  architect's  work  was  simipli- 
fied  and  soon  done. 

The  building  seemed  to  rise  almost  by  magic, 
and  Everett  was  one  of  the  happiest  of  men. 

One  evening  a  committee  from  one  of  the  strong- 
est Baptist  churches  in  the  state  called  on  Everett 
in  his  new  place  of  worship  and  the  chairman  said : 
"Mr.  McDonald,  our  church  is  without  a  pastor, 
and  after  hearing  you  at  our  state  convention  and 
here  in  your  mission  a  few  times,  we  decided  last 
night  to  extend  to  you  a  unanimous  call  to  be  our 
pastor  at  a  salary  of  $3500.00  and  a  furnished  par- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  I5I 

sonage.  We  will  give  you  full  charge,  and  if  you 
want  to  do  mission  work  our  place  is  sadly  in  need 
ot  that." 

"Well,  Mr.  Chairman  and  brethren,  I  hardly 
know  W'hat  to  say.  I  never  aspired  to  anything  like 
that.  I  know  something  of  your  field  of  work  and 
it  is  an  inviting  one,  but  I  cannot  give  you  an  an- 
swer now." 

"You  wall  consider  the  matter,  then,  will  you?" 
said  one  of  the  committee. 

"Yes,  if  you  will  give  me  one  month." 

"Certainly,"  said  the  chairman,  and  the  committee 
went  away^  happy. 

Everett  was  talking  over  the  matter  with  Bob 
when  a  telegram  came  from  Cleveland.  Everett 
turned  pale  and  his-  hands  trembled  so  he  could 
hardly  open  the  message.  What  could  have  hap- 
pened at  home  to  cause  them  to  send  a  message? 
He  opened  the  message  and  read  : 

"Dear  Everett: — My  honor  has  been  thoroughly  vindi- 
cated.    Come  home  at  once. 

"Alexander  McDonald." 

Everett  acted  like  an  Indian  gone  mad.  He 
turned  a  double  handspring  with  a  yell,  and  the 
messenger  boy,  in  his  anxiety  to  get  away,  missed 
a  step  and  tumbled  head  over  heels  down  the  stairs. 
He  hugged  Bob  until  Bob  was  purple  in  the  face. 
He  threw  pillows,  turned-  somersaults  and  hand- 
springs until  he  was  almost  exhausted.  Finally 
Bob  called  from  behind  the  closet  door:  "Smash 
everything  but  my  sweetheart's  picture,  and  keep 
out  of  here." 

"Come  out,  Bob  ;   I'll  be  good." 

After  considerable   w^ork   they   had   the  room   in 


152  A    CLOUDINESS    MORNING. 

fairly  good  order,  but  Everett  was  so  happy  he  did 
not  get  to  sleep  until  long  after  midnight. 

The  next  day,  after  Everett  had  arranged  affairs 
for  a  few  days'  absence  from  school  and  the  mission, 
he  boarded  the  train  and  waved  adieu  to  Bob,  who 
stood  calling,  "Be  sure  and  come  back." 

Both  father  and  son  were  deeply  moved  as  they 
greeted  each  other  at  the  depot.  Everett  heard  the 
wonderful  story  of  the  forgery  and  dramatic  ending 
of  Mr.  Oscar  Tupper  as  they  walked  arm  in  arm  to 
tne  little  cottage.  Then  his  surprise  was  complete 
when  his  mother  told  him  of  the  fortune  that  had 
come  to  them  that  week  from  her  brother  in  Scot- 
land. 

Of  course  Liza  knew  all  the  time  that  they  were 
going  back  to  the  mansion.  "I  am  not  so  sure," 
said  Mrs.  McDonald,  "that  I  want  to  go  back  to  the 
mansion,  as  Liza  calls  it.  A  cottage  just  a  little 
more  convenient  than  this  one  will  suit  me." 

"Nor  1,"  said  Mr.  McDonald,  "although  the  man 
who  purchased  our  old  home  offered  to  sell  it  to 
me  at  a  reasonable  sum.  We've  talked  the  matter 
over  considerable  of  late  and  decided  to  arrange  our 
plans  to  suit  you,  Everett. 

"Well,"  said  Everett,  "I'm  sure  I  have  no  desire 
to  go  back  on  EucHd  Avenue,  although  it  is  a  beau- 
tiful place.  I  have  decided  to  give  all  my  time  to 
the  ministry  as  soon  as  I  pass  my  final  examinations 
in  theological  work.  But  I" guess  you  had  better 
plan  independent  of  me,  for  I  doubt  if  the  class  of 
work  I  want  to  do  in  the  ministry  would  suit  you." 

"Just  what  kind  of  work  will  you  do?  You  will 
go  into  the  Presbyterian  Church,  won't  you?"  eag- 
erly asked  Mrs.  McDonald. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHIvETE.  153 

"Well,  Mother,  you  ask  me  two  pretty  big  ques- 
tions at  once.  My  work  at  the  University  town  with 
the  poor,  and  then  my  work  at  the  Baptist  Mission 
in  Boston,  makes  clear  to  me  that  I  am  called  to 
work  among-  the  poor  and  the  neglected." 

"We  can't  object  to  that,"  said  Mr.  McDonald, 
"for  I'm  sure  we  know  how  to  sympathize  with 
those  who  are  poor  and  in  trouble  and  forsaken. 
If  Dr.  Carter  hadn't  stood  by  us  I  do  not  know 
what  would  have  become  of  us.  But,  by  the  way,  a 
man  in  such  a  place  as  Dr.  Carter  can  do  a  tremen- 
dous amount  of  good." 

"Yes,  I  know,  father,  but  if  you  were  in  a  com- 
munity where  there  was  not  simply  one,  but  a  thou- 
sand families  needing  sympathetic  help,  you  could 
do  more  good,  couldn't  you  ?" 

"O,  don't  understand  me  to  be  objecting  to  your 
desires.  No,  indeed,  if  you  feel  called  to  that  kind 
of  work,  I'll    never  object." 

"But  you'll  be  a  Presbyterian,  won't  you,  Ever- 
ett?" asked  Mrs.  McDonald. 

"Mother,  you  make  me  laugh  about  your  old 
Scotch  Presbyterianism.  You  know  I  have  been 
working  in  a  Baptist  Mission  in  Boston  and  that  I 
have  been  ordained  by  the  Baptist  denomination." 

"Praise  de  Lord,"  said  Liza,  "you'se  a  Baptist. 
I  likes  de  Presbyterians  but  I'm  by  nature  a  Bap- 
tist." 

"And  not  only  have  I  been  ordained  by  the  Bap- 
tists, but  I  received  a  call  just  before  I  left  Boston 
to  a  Baptist  church  paying  $3500.00  salary  and  a 
furnished  parsonage." 

"Of  what  church  is  Miss  Day,  of  whom  you  have 
written  so  much,  a  member  ?  Is  she  a  Baptist,  too  ?" 
asked  the  mother. 


154  A     CIvOUDLESS    MORNING. 

"No ;  her  folks  are  Episcopalians.  She  was  con- 
firmed in  that  church  several  years  ago.  I  do  not 
know  what  her  parents  think  about  mission  work. 
I  imagine  Captain  Day  will  bitterly  oppose  such  a 
move." 

"What  does  Miss  Day  say  for  herself?"  said  Mr. 
McDonald. 

"Well,  when  we  were  engaged  I  explained  fully 
to  her  my  desires.  She  agreed  that  she  could  be 
happy  in  such  work.  We  did  not  talk  about  de- 
nominations ;  we  talked  about  the  Lord's  work." 

"Suppose  we  drop  the  subject  tonight  and  talk 
the  matter  over  with  Dr.  Carter  tomorrow,"  said 
Mr.  McDonald. 

The  next  day  Mr.  McDonald  and  Everett  called 
on  Dr.  Carter.  The  old  minister  was  overjoyed  to 
see  Everett.  "Your  father  has  told  me  of  some  of 
the  noble  work  you  have  been  doing.  I'm  so  glad 
you  have  been  a  true  Christian.  What  are  you 
going  to  do  now  ?" 

"That  is  our  mission  here  this  morning,  to  dis- 
cuss my  future.  Of  course  I  am  going  to  preach 
and  I  have  also  decided  to  work  with  the  poor." 

"Well,  that  is  a  capital  resolution  and  I  hope  you 
will  never  change  your  plan.  Some  will  have  to 
preach  to  the  well-to-do,  but  we  never  lack  for 
preachers  there.  My  heart  aches  when  I  think  of 
the  thousands  of  poor  people  in  this  city  who  never 
go  near  a  house  of  worship.  I'm  too  old  now  to 
begin  such  a  work,  but  I've  been  praying  that  God 
would  raise  up  some  strong  man,  some  Moses  to 
lead  our  enslaved  poor  from  the  houses  of  bond- 
age." 

"I    have   often    thought    of    the    poor    people    in 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE.  155 

ClevelantU  but  there  isn't  a  church  in  Cleveland 
to  my  liking-.  A  luiptist  church  near  Boston  has 
extended  me  a  call  and  the  field  is  the  most  desira- 
ble I  have  seen  yet  and  still  that  field  does  not 
exactly  suit  me." 

"You're  a  Presbyterian,  aren't  you?  By  the 
way,  I  have  a  request  from  a  magnificent  Presby- 
terian church  in  New  York  to  name  a  successor  to 
the  minister  who  has  just  resigned.  If  you  want  a 
good  church  that  is  a  far  better  one  than  the  one 
you  describe  and  PU  gladly  recommend  you." 

"O  no,  Dr.  Carter,  I  thank  you;  but  I  don't 
want  that  kind  of  a  church.  Besides,  Pm  not 
sure  I  am  a  Presbyterian.  I  have'nt  gone  back  on 
the  old  Westminster  Confession,  but  I  have  a  few 
things  in  addition." 

"Well,  what  is  your  position?"  said  Dr.  Carter, 
"Pm   always   glad    for   new    ideas." 

"To  state  my  position  and  belief  I  will  have  to 
describe  what  kind  of  a  church  I  want  to  preach  in. 
I  want  a  church  to  begin  with  that  will  have  ar- 
rangements for  seating  comfortably  all  who  wish  to 
come.  That  can  be  done.  Then  I  want  a  good 
library,  a  first-class  gymnasium  and  a  well-equiped 
hospital  in  connection  with  the  church.  I  don't 
mean  separate  buildings.  I  mean  all  under  the 
same  roof.  I  also  want  enough  room  for  a  home 
for  little  wanderers." 

"To  be  sure,  there  is  no  such  church  here  to  my 
knowledge  and  very  few  in  existence.  What  de- 
nomination would  you  have  such  a  church  fellow- 
ship with." 

"I  believe  in  the  old  Confession  of  Faith,  some- 
what revised.     I   also  believe  in  immersion  if  the 


156  A     CtOUDLESS    MORNING. 

people  want  to  be  immersed.  And  I  want  the 
Methodist  altar." 

"You  could  do  that  and  still  be  a  Presbyterian." 

"Well,  to  be  frank,  I  want  to  throw  the  doors 
open  without  a  creed  or  confession.  All  I  want  is 
that  the  people  coming  in  shall  believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  confess  him  publicly  as  tlieir 
Savior.  I  will  be  frank,  I  think  this  can  be  best 
done  as  an  'Independent  church.'  " 

Dr.  Carter  smiled  and  said :  "I  guess  the  'In- 
dependent church'  is  where  you  belong.  That's  a 
little  too  free  for  me." 

"I  have  great  respect  for  creeds  and  confessions 
of  faith,  but  I  don't  want  perishing  souls  kept  out 
of  my  church  if  they  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
as  their  Savior  and  are  willing  to  confess  Him  be- 
fore men.  I  want  a  life-saving  station,  where  we 
do  not  ask  whether  a  struggling  seaman  is  a  Pres- 
byterian or  Baptist  or  Methodist  or  Episcopalian — 
I  want  to  be  able  to  throw  out  the  life  line,  as 
Jesus   did." 

Dr  Carter  smiled  again  and  said :  "Well,  Everett 
we  don't  disagree  as  much  as  you  think.  You  are 
cut  out  for  a  good  evangelist  and  I  say  Godspeed  to 
you  in  your  effort  to  save  men.  I  don't  believe  Pres- 
byterians are  the  only  Christians  that  are  going  to 
heaven,  but  in  all  my  years  I  have  learned  that  God 
does  not  despise  a  good  Presbyterian.  I  exchanged 
with  a  Methodist  a  few  Sundays  ago  and  as  I  spoke 
of  the  pathway  growing  brighter  as  the  years  went 
by  one  man  on  the  front  seat  said  'Amen !'  I 
looked  down  at  the  old  man,  and  as  I  saw  the  tears 
trickling  down  his  happy  face  I  said  to  myself 
'Thank  God  for  the  tie  that  binds  our  hearts  in 
Christian  love.'  " 


The  christian   ATHI.ETE.  157 

As  father  and  son  arose  to  go  the  faithful  old 
prophet  of  God  placed  his  hand  on  Everett's  shoulder 
and  said :  "God  bless  you,  Everett.  I  hope  the 
Lord  will  open  the  way  here  in  Cleveland.  We  need 
you   here." 

As  they  walked  back  home  Mr.  McDonald  said, 
"Everett,  what  would  such  a  church  as  you  speak 
of  cost?" 

"I  don't  know  exactly,  father,  but  I'll  figure  on 
it.  It  would  cost  at  least  $350,000.00.  Of  course, 
to  conduct  such  a  church  successfully  there  would 
have  to  be  an  endowment." 

Very  little  was  said  about  the  interview  that  even- 
ing. Mr.  McDonald  said  that  they  had  had  a  very 
pleasant  and  profitable  time  together.  Everett  said 
that  he  would  decide  later.  He  went  to  bed  early 
that  night  as  he  was  to  return  to  Boston  the  next 
day  to  take  his  final  examinations  in  theology. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDonald  sat  up  late,  very  late. 
They  were  discussing  Everett's  plans  and  trying  to 
arrive  at  a  conclusion.  Finally  the  mother  said, 
"I'm  sure,  we  cannot  put  our  money  to  any  bet- 
ter use.  I  haven't  any  doubt  about  Everett's  being 
able  to  take  charge  of  the  work.  He  is  surely 
capable  of  handling  such  an  enterprise.  We  need 
not  hesitate  about  the  denomination  if  membership 
is  conditioned  on  believing  in  and  confessing  pub- 
licly our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

"I  think  you  are  right,  mother.  As  Dr.  Carter 
says,  we  need  just  such  a  church  for  the  poor  of 
this  city." 

The  next  morning  after  breakfast  and  prayers, 
Everett  was  treated  to  a  genuine  surprise. 

"Everett,"    said    Mr.    McDonald,    "your   mother 


158  A    CLOUDLESS    MORNING. 

and  I  have  decided  to  furnish  the  money  to  build 
such  a  church  as  you  desire,  here  in  Cleveland. 
We  will  work  with  you  for  the  succcess  of  the 
Master." 

Everett's  tongue  lost  its  cunning  and  his  eyes 
overflowed  with  tears. 

"Yes,'"  said  the  mother,  "we  will  rejoice  in  thy 
salvation,  and  in  the  name  of  our  God  we  will 
set  up  our  banners  and  may  the  Lord  fulfill  all  thy 
petitions." 


CHAPTER  Al. 


THE  LOVE-WROUGHT   MASTERPIECE. 


'The  length  and  breadth  and  the  height  are  equal." 

Everett's  mind  was  all  in  a  whirl  as  he  boarded 
the  train  for  Boston.  Joy  and  sadness  strangely 
mingled  as  he  thought  of  leaving  the  mission  in 
Boston  for  the  new  field  in  Cleveland.  He  won- 
dered how  he  would  be  able  to  tell  the  workers 
at  the  IVIission  of  his  decision  to  leave.  Then,  too, 
there  was  the  Baptist  church  that  had  extended  him 
a  call  and  was  expecting  a  decision  on  his  return. 
Would  the  committee  continue  to  feel  friendly  when 
he  declined  their  invitation?  Would  the  Days  be 
pleased  ?  Where  would  he  get  enough  money  to  en- 
dow the  church  ?  He  pondered  over  such  questions 
all  the  way  to  Boston. 

Bob  was  delighted  when  Everett  walked  into 
the  room.  "Hello,  McDonald !  My,  but  it  has  been 
lonesome  since  you  left.  You  had  a  good  time,  I 
know.    Did  Cleveland  look  natural?" 

"Yes,  Bob,  I  had  a  splendid  time,  but  was  so 
very  busy  that  I  did  not  have  time  to  look  at 
old  landmarks." 

"Busy!  Holding  Evangelistic  meetings  I  sup- 
pose.    Why  didn't  you  rest?" 

159 


i6o  The  love-wrought   masterpiece. 

"You  will  be  surprised  when  I  tell  you  what  I've 
decided  to  do." 

"I'll  venture  that  you  are  going  to  Cleveland 
to  live." 

"Going  back  to  work,  Bob.  My  father  and 
mother  have  decided  to  build  a  church  according 
to  my  own  ideas  and  I  believe  it  is  my  duty  to  go." 
After  Everett  had  explained  fully  what  was  to  be 
done,  Bob  said:  "I  suppose  it  is  for  the  best,  but 
I  had  hoped  you  would  remain  a  little  longer  in  old 
Boston." 

"Well,  Bob,  you  will  be  leaving  here  in  another 
year.  I  wish  you  would  locate  in  Cleveland  when 
you  are  through  with  your  law  course.  You  haven't 
decided  yet  where  you  will  open  an  office,  have 
you?" 

"No,  I  haven't.  It  would  be  a  capital  idea  to  open 
an  office  in  your  city.  Ohio  is  a  great  state.  Do 
you  think  my  chances  for  the  Presidency  of  the 
United  States  will  be  increased  if  I  go  to  Ohio?" 

"If  you  will  locate  there  I  will  do  all  I  can  to 
get  other  people  to  see  you  as  I  do  and  then  I'm 
sure  you  will  be  made  President." 

"How  about  your  examinations?"  said  T.ob, 
changing  the  conversation.  I'm  almost  swamped 
with  work.     I'll  be  glad  when  I  am  through." 

"I'm  not  sure  that  I  am  ready  for  mine  either. 
Besides  the  regular  tests  I  am  to  pass  examina- 
tions on  some  extra  work.  If  I  am  successful  I'll 
be  able  to  get  my  degree  by  doing  the  balance  of 
the  work  in  absentia." 

After  examinations  were  over  Bob  said :  "Well, 
my  exams  were  easy.  I  answered  all  the  questions 
satisfactorily — i.  e.  to  myself  at  least." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  l6l 

"My  tests  were  not  so  easy  but  I  am  well  satis- 
fied   with    the    result." 

With  the  work  at  the  Divinity  School  over  Everett 
set  about  arranging  affairs  so  that  he  could  leave 
Boston. 

The  committee  from  the  Baptist  church  came  to 
the  Mission  station  one  evening  at  Everett's  re- 
quest to  receive  his  decision.  As  Everett  related  to 
them  his  history  and  then  explained  to  them  fully 
the  opening  in  Cleveland,  the  committee  saw  plainly 
enough  that  they  could  not  expect  him  to  accept 
their  call.  They  themselves  said  that  the  opening 
in  his  native  city  was  far  better  than  anything  they 
could  offer  him.  As  they  were  about  to  leave,  the 
chairman  said:  "Mr.  McDonald,  can't  you  come 
out  and  preach  for  us  next  Sunday  ?  We  want  our 
people  to  hear  you  once.  No  pressure  will  be  used 
to  have  you  accept  our  call.  We  will  have  it  thor- 
oughly understood  that  you  have  refused  our  invi- 
tation to  the  pastorate  and  we  agree  that  your 
decision  is  the  wise  one." 

After  some  hesitation  Everett  said,  "I  will  preach 
for  you  next  Sunday  morning,  but  I  want  to  preach 
here  at  the  mission  in  the  evening." 

"Very  well,  that  will  suit  us.  We  will  get  a  min- 
ister to  supply  your  pulpit  in  the  morning  and  the 
same  man  can  preach  for  us  in  the  evening." 

Everett  preached  in  the  Baptist  church  the  next 
Sunday  morning.  He  also  gave  a  half  hour  talk 
in  the  Sabbath  school.  The  people  received  him  so 
enthusiastically  that  he  said  to  Bob  as  they  went 
back  to  the  city,  "That's  a  fine  opportunity.  It 
makes  me  feel  badly  not  to  accept  their  call." 

"You  can't  preach  everywhere  at  the  same  time," 


l62  THE    LOVE-WROUGHT    MASTERPIECE. 

said  Bob.  "What  is  the  use  of  feeling  sad;  you 
didn't  ask  them  to  consider  your  name.  They  made 
all  the  advances.  Then,  too,  didn't  they  say  you 
were   wise   in  your  decision." 

"That's  so,"  said  Everett,  more  cheerfully.  Then 
he  thought  of  the  Mission  and  how  hard  it  would 
be  to  leave  the  work. 

"I  don't  blame  you  for  feeling  sad  at  the  thought 
of  leaving  the  Mission.  It's  just  as  the  Missionary 
Secretary  says,  they  will  not  find  another  McDon- 
ald soon.  But  even  the  secretary  don't  blame  you 
for  going  to  Cleveland.  He  said  you  were  just 
fitted  for  such  a  field  and  looked  upon  the  opening 
as  a  providential  one.  You  have  a  great  chance 
there,  old  fellow." 

"Bob,  I'm  afraid  I  can't  preach  tonight.  Just 
think,  my  last  sermon  in  the  Mission.  It  almost 
breaks  my  heart  to  think  of  it." 

"You  must  brace  up  and  preach  your  best.  You 
don't  want  your  last  efifort  to  be  a  failure.  Be- 
sides, you  have  selected  your  own  successor  and 
you  know  he  is  a  good  man." 

Despite  Bob's  exhortation  to  "brace  up"  Everett 
broke  down  two  or  three  times  as  he  was  preaching 
the  last  sermon.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  sermon 
he  introduced  his  successor  to  the  audience  and 
concluded  the  service  with  one  of  his  powerful 
prayers  for  God's  blessing  upon  "the  man  and  the 
Mission." 

As  Everett  packed  his  trunk  to  leave,  Bob  didn't 
say  anything  about  "bracing  up."  In  fact,  he  was 
not  saying  anything  at  all.  He  was  kept  busy  swal- 
lowing and  trying  to  keep  down  the  tears.  When 
he  and  Everett  knelt  together  for  the  last  time  in 


THK    CHRISTIAN     ATHLKTR.     •  163 

their  room  Bob  broke  down  completely.  Everett 
prayed  a  few  audible  sentences,  but  was  so  over- 
come with  his  emotions  that  the  remainder  of  the 
prayer  was  inaudible.  Bob's  lips  did  not  move,  but 
he,  too,  was  sending  up  an  unselfish  petition. 

Everett  had  many  misgivings  as  he  left  old  Bos- 
ton, yet  he  was  delighted  to  think  that  he  was  go- 
ing back  to  his  native  city  to  work  in  a  field  with 
such  wonderful  opportunities  for  doing  good. 

The  Cleveland  papers  published  some  news  that 
week  in  regard  to  Mr.  Alexander  McDonald,  the 
Presbyterian  Elder,  that  caused  almost  as  great  a 
sensation  as  the  news  of  his  failure,  as  great  as  the 
dramatic  ending  of  Mr.  Oscar  Tupper.  Elder  -Mc- 
Donald had  declined  a  unanimous  election  to  his  old 
position  as  bank  president.  He  gave  as  his  reason 
that  he  had  decided  to  use  his  time  and  money  in 
building  an  "Institutional  Church"  for  the  poor  peo- 
ple of  the  city.  His  son  Everett,  who  had  been 
studying  in  Boston,  was  to  have  charge  of  the 
church.  It  was  to  be  thoroughly  evangelical,  but 
would  not  be  identified  with  one  denomination  more 
than  another. 

The  newspapers  welcomed  such  a  worthy  enter- 
prise and  the  various  ministerial  meetings  passed 
commendatory  resolutions,  pledging  their  heartiest 
support. 

A  large  lot  in  the  most  desirable  location  in 
the  city  for  such  a  building  was  purchased.  A 
deluge  of  letters  came  from  architects  anxious  to 
draw  the  plans  for  the  building.  Everett  selected 
the  most  excellent  architect  that  had  drawn  the  plans 
for  the  Mission  Station  in  Boston.  The  task  this 
time,  however,  was  a  far  more  difficult  one.     After 


l64  THE    LOVE-WROUGHT    MASTERPIECE. 

many  days  and  nights  of  the  most  arduous  labor 
the  plan  was  nearly  complete.  As  Elder  McDon- 
ald was  studying  the  drawings  one  e,vening,  he 
said :  "Well,  Everett,  I  am  thoroughly  satisfied 
now ;   what  is  your  opinion  ?" 

"I  am  about  satisfied,  but  there  is  one  thing 
lacking." 

"What's  that?"  asked  Mrs.  McDonald,  deeply 
interested. 

Everett  colored  slightly  as  he  said :  "I  want  to 
discuss  the  plan  with  Helen  before  we  make  the 
final  decision." 

"Well,  Everett,  you  will  have  to  travel  to  the  Pa- 
cific coast  to  consult  with  her.  Still  if  you  think 
best  we  can  wait," 

"No,  father.  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from 
Helen,  stating  that  she,  with  her  father  and  mother, 
will  arrive  in  Columbus  next  week." 

"By  all  means  then  talk  the  matter  over  with 
her,"  said  the  mother. 

The  few  days  that  had  to  pass  before  Everett 
could  meet  Helen  dragged  unusually  slow.  At  last 
the  day  dawned  and  Everett  was  up  bright  and  early 
ready  to  go  to  the  Capital  city. 

As  Liza  watched  "her  boy"  brushing  his  new 
suit  of  clothes  she  said,  "I  don't  blame  you  for 
bein'  so  pow'ful  particular.  D'y'  \spose  you  honey 
'11  be  glad  to  see  you?"  Everett  patted  her  on  the 
back  and  said,  "Liza,  I've  had  a  'sure  'nufif'  vision 
and    she'll   be   glad." 

All  aglow  with  enthusiasm  Everett  hurried  to  the 
depot  with  his  plans  and  was  soon  speeding  on 
one  of  his  happiest  journeys.  At  the  depot  in 
Columbus  he  was  surprised  to  see  the  beaming  face 
of  Rufus. 


THU    CHRISTIAN     ATHLETE-  165 

"Well,  well,  Rufus!  How  do  you  do?  I  am 
glad  to  see  you." 

"Mista  Everett,  sure  nuff!  I'se  powful  glad  to 
see  you.  You  see,  afta  I  left  you  I  done  had  a 
telegram.  I  was  plumb  scared  to  pieces  when  dat 
message  comes  for  I  was  'fraid  Miss  Helen  was 
telHn'  me  dat  she's  dead.  Well,  would  you  believe 
it,  de  cap'n  was  askin'  me  to  stay  hear  and  git  de 
old  place  ready  for  a  home  comin'.  He  said  dey'd 
all  be  home  soon,  an'  dey'l  be  hear  inside  a  few 
minutes.  Glory,  I  kin  hardly  wait  'till  dey  heave 
in.     The  ole  Cap'n  has  done  change  his  mind,  kaze 

Miss   Helen    says    he's    got    a   big   likin'    fer " 

But  before  Rufus  could  finish  the  sentence  the  great 
train  came  swinging  into  the  depot  with  its  precious 
burden.  Rufus  made  for  the  baggage  car  for  he 
knew  Prince  would  be  there.  The  loud  barking  of 
the  dog  told  the  happy  quartet  outside  that  Prince 
was  speaking  to  an  old  friend. 

Rufus  had  the  old  home  all  aglow  with  life  and 
welcome. 

"Rufus,'  said  Capt.  Day,  "you  have  done  well. 
Everything  looks  natural.  You  haven't  lost  your 
cunning." 

"No,"  said  Mrs.  Day,  "he  hasn't  lost  his  cunning. 
Rufus,  we  never  can  repay  our  debt  of  gratitude 
to  you." 

"  'Taint  me  youse  need  to  thank.  'Taint  me  as 
what's  done  this.  De  good  Lord,  he's  the  gemin 
to  remember,"  said  the  old  servant,  as  he  turned 
and  hurried  from  the  room  to  conceal  his  tears. 

After  a  delightful  hour  over  the  tea  cups  Capt. 
and  Mrs.  Day,  Helen  and  Everett  gathered  around 
the    study   table    in   the   east   room   to   inspect   the 


l66  THE    tOVE-WROUGHT    MASTERPIECE. 

plan  for  the  new  church.  All  were  delighted  with 
the  general  outline  of  the  building.  Then,  as  de- 
tail after  detail  was  explained,  "delight  deepened 
into  a  veritable  ecstacy." 

"Perfect!  Perfect!"  said  Capt.  Day.  "What 
pleases  me  most  is  the  admirable  way  you  have 
arranged  for  Helen's  work." 

"I  do  not  see,"  said  the  mother,  "that  the  plan 
lacks  one  thing." 

"Well,  it  does  lack  just  one  thing,"  said  Everett ; 
"Father  and  Mother  will  furnish  as  much  as  is 
necessary  for  the  building,  but  we  need  an  endow- 
ment. The  people  we  are  to  work  with  have  small 
incomes,  some  are  even  beggars,  and  they  cannot 
contribute  enough  money  to  minister  as  will  be  nec- 
essary. We  have  been  hoping  and  praying  that 
some  one  will  endow  the  work.  Then  the  whole 
enterprise  will  be  reasonably  sure  of  success." 

"I  wouldn't  worry  about  that,"  said  Capt.  Day, 
as  he  nudged  Mrs.  Day  with  his  knee. 

"No,"  said  Mrs.  Day,  "that  will  come  v;hen  it  is 
needed," 

"I  wish  I  could  have  those  little  tots  in  San 
Francisco  housed  in  such  a  building.  They  loved 
me  so  much,"  said  Helen. 

"Well,  Helen,"  said  the  mother,  "I  shouldn't 
grieve  over  their  situation.  They  will  be  well  cared 
for  by  those  loyal  ladies  of  the  Salvation  Army." 

"Besides,  Helen,"  said  Capt.  Day,  "the  opportun- 
ity you  will  have  in  this  new  church  will  be  far 
superior  to  your  opportunity  in  San  Francisco." 

"Of  course,"  said  Helen,  as  she  gave  a  sly 
glance  at  Everett's  flushed  and  happy  face,  "I'm 
satisfied." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHI.ETE.  167 

"Satisfied !''  came  from  every  heart.  Not  only 
were  the  Days,  the  McDonalds  and  a  host  of  others 
satisfied,  but  God  himself  was  satisfied  when,  a 
few  days  later,  Capt.  and  Mrs.  Day,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McDonald,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Habsdorf,  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Carter  and  a  large  number  of  the  evangelical  min- 
isters of  Cleveland  gathered  at  the  spot  where  a 
bridegroom  without  ornaments  and  a  bride  without 
jewels  were  to  break  the  ground  for  the  erection  of 
the  temple  of  God. 

Helen  had  the  honor  of  turning  the  first  shovel- 
ful of  dirt,  then  Everett,  then  all  used  the  shovel 
except  Liza.  When  the  faithful  servant's  turn  came 
she  said,  "No,  indeed,  I'm  not  goin'  to  begin  that 
kind  of  work  now." 

"Here,  Rufus,"  said  Helen,  "suppose  you  turn 
Liza's  share."  Rufus  did  as  requested  and  received 
a  generous  amount  of  applause  and  laughter. 

The  contractor,  after  promising  to  push  the  work 
with  all  possible  speed,  ordered  over  a  hundred  wait- 
ing workmen  to  begin  their  labors  and  the  work 
began   in   earnest. 

None  were  more  interested  in  the  building  of 
"Union  Temple,"  as  the  new  church  was  to  be  called, 
than  Liza  and  Rufus.  At  first  they  disputed  a 
great  deal  as  to  which  was  "the  bestust" — "Mista 
Everett  or  Missus  Helen."  But  by  and  by  dis- 
putes ceased  and  they  became  deeply  interested  in 
each  other.  One  day,  in  a  confidential  mood,  Rufus 
told  Liza  his  history.  "Yes,  Liza,  Ise  beenthinkin' 
of  what's  youse  tole  me  and  guess  youse  'bout  right. 
I'll  tells  you.  One  time  I  makes  up  my  mind  to 
go  down  to  Alabama  wha  I  was  raised.  One  day 
on   de  boat  while   I   was  peelin'  potatoes  a  voice 


l68  THE    LOVE-WROUGHT    MASTERPIECE. 

kinda  comes  to  me  dat  says,  'Rufus,  you  ought 
to  settle  down,  git  married  and  git  'ligun.'  Well, 
after  I  got  to  de  ole  place  I  got  a  job.  Den  I  got 
to  lookin'  round,  see,  to  find  de  right  kin'  of  a  gul. 
Well,  sah,  I  couldn't  fin'  no  one  to  suit  me  no  wha. 
Finally  one  of  de  boys  wants  me  to  meet  a  gul. 
When  I  meets  her  I  likes  her  and  fo  long  I  tells 
her  dat  she's  my  kind.  I  tells  hur  dat  I  has  a  good 
job  and  ready  to  wuk  for  hur.  Well,  we  got  mar- 
ried, see.  She'd  bin  tryin'  to  git  ligun  for  mo'n 
a  week.  One  night  I  comes  home  and  she  meets 
me  at  de  do  and  says,  'Rufus,  I  wants  you  to  promise 
me  to  pray  every  day.'  I  says  I  will.  Now,  she 
say,  'Rufus,  don'  you  promise  less'n  you  mean  it.' 
I  means  it,  I  says.  Well,  in  about  a  week  she  gits 
ligun,  an'  she  seemed  so  happy  she'd  shout,  I  tells 
you.  After  awhile  well,  we  had  a  nice  little  home 
and  I  furnished  it  up  nice  as  you  please.  But  by 
and  by  I  notice  she's  changed.  She  don't  act  right 
and  while  I  couldn't  splain  it,  every  night  I  comes 
home  and  looks  at  hur  I  feels  a  pain  in  my  heart. 
Finally  I  knows  she  goes  out  wid  anoder  man  at 
de  church.  When  I  talks  wid  hur  she  yells  loud  and 
I  can't  do  nuthin'.  You  know  how  'tis  if  two  peo- 
ple gits  into  trouble  and  one  b'longs  to  church,  de 
church  people  alius  stands  by  de  church  member. 
Well,  I  works  hard,  too  hard,  and  gits  de  rheuma- 
tism in  my  right  arm  and  leg.  I  has  to  go  to  de 
hospital.  When  I  comes  back  to  de  little  home 
everybody  tells  me  my  wife  wa'nt  doin'  right.  Now, 
when  eight  or  ten  people  tells  you  sompin'  youse 
boun'  to  believe  it,  ain't  you  ?  Well,  I  couldn't  work, 
and  my  heart  was  akin,  I  tells  you.  I  wants  hur 
to  help  me  cause  Fd  run  out  o'  money.     No,  sah. 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETK.  169 

she  wouldn't  help  me.  I  had  to  git  some  money 
from  my  frien's,  or  I'd  starved.  Well,  things  keep 
gitin'  wuse.  When  I  tries  to  talk  wid  hur  in  a  quiet 
way  she  yells  so  loud  everybody  hears  hur.  I  can't 
reason  wid  hur.  I  goes  back  to  work,  but  I  can't 
live  wid  hur.  She  wants  me  to  git  a  divorce,  but 
no  sail,  I  can't.  No,  sah,  I  likes  hur  and  Ise  ready 
to  do  anything  for  hur.  Well,  on  a  Saturday  I  goes 
to  de  little  home  I  fixed  up.  De  snow  was  piled 
up  everywhar.  I  goes  into  de  house  and  sees  hur 
lookin'  kin'  a  pitiful  like,  and  I  knows  she  needs 
coal.  I  says,  'Do  you  need  anything?'  'No,  sah,' 
she  says,  'I  don't  need  nuffin'.'  'Well,'  I  says,  'I 
send  you  coal.'  So  I  sends  her  coal  and  food.  But 
she  won't  treat  me  right  nohow. 

"Finally  she  gits  sick  and  I  spend  'bout  $60.00 
on  hur  and  den  I  thought  sure  nufif  she'll  be  all 
right,  but,  no  sah.  Well,  one  evenin'  an  officer  of 
de  law  comes  wid  some  papers  dat  says  my  wife 
sues  me  for  a  divorce.  I  goes  to  de  jedge  and 
talks  wid  him.  De  jedge  says,  'she  charges  you  wid 
drinkin'  to  excess  and  she's  'fraid  to  live  wid  youse.' 
You  see,  she  done  tole  a  lie.  Well,  I  felt  mighty 
bad,  but  I  wanted  to  please  hur,  so  I  didn't  pear 
'gainst  hur  and  she  gits  a  divorce.  Den  she  goes  and 
marries  de  man  she'd  been  runnin'  wid.  I  got  my 
week's  earnin's  and  bidden'  good-bye  to  de  folks, 
I  came  north  and  got  a  place  wid  Cap'n  Day.  But  I 
couldn'  pray.  No  use,  I  couldn'  pray.  Still  I 
wants  to  git  ligun.  Well,  by  and  by  I  goes  wid  Miss 
Helen  cross  de  sea  and  one  night  on  de  Mount  of 
Olives  I  sees  Miss  Helen  prayin'.  I  wisht  I  could 
pray,  too.  I  says,  'Good  Lord,  f'give  me  my  sins. 
Blot  out  my  sins  fo  de   sun  goes  down.'     I   keep 


I70  THE    LOVE-WROUGHT    MASTERPIECE. 

on  prayin'  and  de  sun  keep  gittin'  down.  Finally 
de  sun  gits  down  and  I  says  to  myself,  'De  sun 
gone  down  and  I'se  still  a  sinner.'  Den  I  heard  a 
voice  a-sayin,  'Look  at  you  ban's,  Rufus.'  I  looks 
at  my  ban's  and  dey  looks  white.  I  looks  at  my 
arms  and  my  feet  and  dey  shines  and  I  looks  up  to- 
ward de  sky  so  full  ob  stars  and  I  says,  'Praise  de 
good  Lord,  for  Fse  got  ligun,  sure  nuff.'  " 

As  Liza  listened  to  the  trials  of  Rufus  her  sym- 
pathies w-ere  deeply  stirred.  As  she  hurried  back 
to  her  work  she  admitted  that  Rufus  deserved  far 
better  treatment.  They  had  many  opportunities 
for  sympathizing  with  each  other,  for  Capt.  Day 
and  Elder  McDonald  were  building  cottages  near 
Union  Temple. 

Liza  low'd  Elder  McDonald's  cottage  was 
"pow'ful  bandy  and  convenient."  Rufus  didn't  dis- 
pute her,  but  said,  "The  Cap'n  has  one  about  as 
nice  as  any  person  kin  want." 

One  day  Rufus  asked  Capt.  Day,  "What  youse 
buildin'  dat  ar  bouse  down  on  de  odder  street  fa?" 

"O,  Fm  building  that  just  to  have  something 
to  do,"  said  the  Captain,  with  a  twinkle  in  bis  eye. 

When  "dat  ar  house  down  on  de  odder  street" 
was  completed  and  furnished,  Capt.  Day  took  Rufus 
and  Liza  to  the  cottage  and  said,  "Here,  Rufus,  is 
the  exact  amount  of  money  you  gave  Helen  in  San 
Francisco,  and  Liza,  here  is  the  deed  for  this  home 
which  is  the  interest  on  the  loan." 

"I  couldn't  keep  your  secret,  '  said  Everett,  as 
he  and  Helen  stepped  from  behind  the  curtain. 

"No,  nor  we  didn't  want  him  to,"  said  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McDonald,  stepping  from  another  corner. 

"Well,  we'll  never  let  Mista  Everett  marry  us 
again,"  said  Liza,  as  bashful  as  a  school  girl. 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHI,BTE.  I?! 

The  marriage  of  Rufus  and  Liza  was  a  delight- 
ful little  incident  in  those  busy,  anxious  days  of 
building  the  temple.  The  work  seemed  to  be  mov- 
ing very  slowly  to  all  but  the  contractor.  He  was 
getting  along  faster  than  he  had  expected. 

The  laying  of  the  corner-stone  had  been  care- 
fully discussed  and  it  was  finally  decided  to  have  a 
very  simple  ceremony  and  no  invited  guests. 

One  beautiful  sunny  morning  just  as  the  sun 
came  peeping  over  the  eastern  hills,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McDonald,  Capt.  and  Mrs.  Day,  Rufus  and  Liza, 
Everett  and  Helen  stood  at  the  corner  of  the  tem- 
ple, where  the  huge  derrick  held  the  large  stone 
that  was  to  cap  the  corner-stone. 

Everett  stepped  forward  and  placing  his  sister 
Hester's  Bible  in  the  little  pocket  in  the  stone, 
prayed  that  the  temple  might  have  as  firm  a  foun- 
dation as  Hester's  faith,  and  the  work  went  on. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE  GIANT  IN   THE  PULriT. 


"And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  saith  God,  I 
will  pour  out  of  my  spirit  upon  all  flesh.  And  your  sons 
and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy,  and  your  young  men 
shall  see  visions,  and  your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams; 
and  on  my  servants  and  on  my  handmaidens  I  will  pour 
out  in  those  days  of  my  spirit.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
that  whosoever  shall  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall 
be  saved." 

Everett  and  Helen  were  not  idle  durins:  the  build- 
ing of  the  temple.  Everett  soon  became  acquainted 
with  hundreds  in  their  homes.  He  held  services 
every  Sunday  in  a  big  tent  as  long  as  the  weather 
would  permit.  When  the  vestry  was  finished  he 
spoke  there. 

Mr.  McDonald's  business  experience  was  almost 
indispensable  and  he  was  delighted  with  handling 
the  financial  part  of  the  work. 

Captain  Day  was  absorbed  in  the  work  of  Helen 
among  the  children.  The  children  took  kindly  to 
Captain  Day  and  he  soon  had  a  small  army  drilling 
every  evening  in  the  big  lot  back  of  the  temple. 

At  last  the  work  on  the  temple  was  almost  com- 
pleted. Just  as  the  spring  beauties  came  peeping 
172 


THE    CHRISTIAN     ATHI.KTE.  173 

through  the  ground  and  the  singing  birds  were 
heard  in  the  land,  the  large  windows  in  memory  of 
Hester  were  placed  in  the  temple. 

The  Evangelical  Association  soon  completed 
arrangements  for  the  installation  of  Everett  and  the 
dedication  of  the  temple. 

The  day  for  the  services  was  set  for  Thursday 
and  the  services  were  to  run  throughout  the  day. 

Rev.  Dr.  Habsdorf  was  chosen  to  preach  the 
installation  sermon  in  the  morning,  and  other  parts 
were  assigned  among  the  local  ministers. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Carter  was  chosen  to  deliver  an 
address  on  the  "Need  of  the  Poor,"  in  the  afternoon. 
But  when  they  came  to  decide  upon  the  evening 
service  the  association  did  not  agree  at  once.  Ever- 
ett said  that  some  noted  Congregational  minister 
should  preach  in  the  evening.  The  committee 
decided,  however,  that  Everett  himself  should 
preach  in  the  evening.  His  objections  were  over- 
ruled and  he  finally  consented. 

The  dedication  day  arrived  clear  and  beautiful. 
The  poor  people  had  decided  to  have  a  holiday  and 
attend  all  the  services. 

Everett  had  read  his  simple  statement  of  belief 
and  answered  the  questions  of  the  Evangelical  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  association  was  ready  for  the  install- 
ation. 

Dr.  Habsdorf  preached  a  powerful  sermon  on 
"Love,  the  Supreme  Builder."  The  other  parts  were 
taken  by  the  local  ministers  and  the  service  was 
deeply  impressive. 

The  large  auditorium  was  completely  filled  again 
in  the  afternoon  to  hear  the  masterly  sermon  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Carter  on  "The  Need  of  the  Poor." 


174  THE    GIANT    IN    THE    PULPIT. 

The  chief  interest,  however,  centered  in  the  even- 
ing service.  Everett  McDonald  was  an  unknown 
quantity.  He  had  planned  the  temple,  with  its  mag- 
nificent equipment,  but  was  he  the  providential 
leader  for  such  a  field  ?  Was  he  not  a  little  egotistic 
to  think  he  could  fill  such  a  large  auditorium  with 
people  Sunday  after  Sunday  ?  Was  he  a  fanatic  and 
a  dreamer?  Yet  as  these  questions  came  up,  even 
to  Everett's  friends,  all  were  compelled  to  acknowl- 
edge, as  they  looked  at  the  simple  grandeur  of  the 
temple,  with  its  faultless  arrangements  for  the  free 
kindergarten,  its  splendidly  equipped  gymnasium, 
its  ample  and  well  selected  library,  its  hospital  of 
unequaled  excellence,  all  paid  for  and  sufficiently 
endowed — all  were  compelled  to  acknowledge  that 
the  young  man  possessed  some  of  the  essential  quali- 
fications for  leadership.  He  was  to  preach  in  the 
evening,  and  they  would  have  a  chance  to  judge 
better  at  that  time  about  the  future  of  the  temple. 

An  hour  before  the  time  for  the  evening  service 
the  great  auditorium  was  packed  to  its  fullest  capac- 
ity. 

A  number  of  Presbyterians  in  the  audience  won- 
dered why  Elder  McDonald  had  not  persuaded  his 
son  to  be  a  Presbyterian.  Such  a  church  would  be  a 
credit  to  their  denomination. 

Some  Baptists,  after  having  looked  at  the  finest 
baptistry  they  had  ever  seen,  wondered  why  the 
temple  couldn't  have  been  a  Baptist  temple.  The 
new  minister  was  ordained  by  the  Baptists  and  he 
got  his  start  in  their  church. 

The  Methodists  said  to  themselves  as  they  looked 
around  from  their  seats :  "Well,  he  has  the  Meth- 
odist altar;    pity  this  couldn't  have  been  a  Meth- 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE-  175 

odist  church."  Some  Congregationalists  wondered 
why  the  temple  couldn't  have  been  affihated  with 
their  denomination. 

Over  in  another  section  a  select  few  thought  it 
strange  that  the  minister's  wife  hadn't  prevailed  on 
him  to  be  an  Episcopalian — "she  was  confirmed  in 
our  church." 

A  number  of  saloon-keepers  who  wanted  to  "size 
up  the  minister,"  as  they  said,  sat  in  one  of  the  back 
rows.  The  temple  was  so  attractive  that  they  knew 
many  customers  would  thus  be  drawn  away  from 
them.  Then  the  fearless  way  the  new  minister  had 
of  talking  to  them  face  to  face  in  their  places  of 
business  made  them  admire  him  and  yet  at  the  same 
time  fear  and  hate  him. 

There  were  also  a  number  of  young  men  present 
who  had  grown  up  with  Everett  McDonald,  ready 
to  have  a  good  time. 

Though  many  hoped  young  McDonald  would  be 
able  to  fill  such  an  auditorium  Sunday  after  Sun- 
day, only  one  in  the  entire  audience  had  ever  seen 
Everett's  ability  tested  before  such  a  multitude.  Yet 
even  Bob  was  anxious  for  the  service  to  begin. 

Everett  had  been  restless  and  uneasy  and  anxious 
all  day.  Helen's  hand  on  his  shoulder  seemed  to 
quiet  his  fears  but  as  soon  as  he  was  away  from 
her  he  worried.  Just  before  he  went  out  of  the 
parlor  to  the  little  study  where  those  who  were  to 
sit  on  the  platform  were  gathering  Helen  took  a 
red  carnation  and  pinning  it  on  his  coat,  said  :  "This 
is  not  my  cause,  but  the  Lord's  that  you  are  en- 
trusted with  tonight.  Can't  you  forget  yourself 
and  think  of  our  great   Master?" 

Although  there  had  scarcely  been  a  minute  during 


176  THE    GIANT    IN    THE    PULPIT. 

tlic  day  in  which  they  liad  not  been  i)raying,  they 
knelt  together  and  Helen  offered  up  a  petition  that 
heaven  stooped  to  hear  and  then  went  out  into 
the  audience  and  took  her  seat  by  the  side  of  Capt. 
Day,  who  sat  satisfied  in  the  midst  of  "Helen's 
soldiers"  as  he  called  the  children. 

In  the  study  those  who  were  to  sit  on  the  plat- 
form knelt  together  and  the  man  Everett  had  led  to 
Christ  in  the  log  cabin  of  the  old  college  town 
prayed  again  for  "the  Lord  to  help  this  young 
man  to  help  others  like  he  has  helped  us." 

The  entire  audience  arose  and  the  Chautauqua 
salute  was  given  Everett  McDonald  as  he  led  the 
way  on  to  the  platform. 

Everett's  face  was  very  pale  as  he  stepped  to  the 
front  of  the  platform  and  bowing  his  acknowledg- 
ments, said  to  himself  as  he  took  his  seat,  "God 
forbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

As  the  elocution  professor  took  his  seat  beside 
Dr.  Habsdorf  he  said,  with  considerable  feeling 
and  anxiety :  "I  hope  the  young  man  will  do  as 
well  with  his  own  speech  as  he  used  to  do  in  my 
classes  with  other  men's  speeches." 

The  audience  joined  heartily  in  the  opening  ser- 
vices. As  they  finished  singing  "In  the  Cross  of 
Christ  I  Glory,,"  Everett  McDonald  in  a  calm,  dig- 
nified, determined  way  stepped  up  to  the  pulpit. 
A  hush  came  over  the  audience  and  there  was 
not  even  the  rustle  of  a  fan.  Everett  opened  the 
Bible  at  II  Corinthians,  2d  chapter,  and  read  his 
text  in  a  clear,  distinct  voice  that  reached  and 
impressed  every  one  in  the  room,  "For  I  am  deter- 
mined not  to  know  anything  among  you,  save  Jesus 
Christ,  and  him  crucified." 


THE    CHRISTIAN    ATHLETE.  I?? 

Closing  the  Bible  with  a  reverent  touch  he  stepped 
out  near  the  front  of  the  platform.  His  face  so 
white  and  immovable  before,  now  began  to  kindle 
with  life  and  glow  with  light  as  he  unfolded  his 
text. 

As  he  proceeded  he  carefully  threw  the  chain  of 
his  thought  around  every  listener  and  the  current 
of  his  oratory  grew  stronger  and  more  powerful 
until  he  held  them  spell-bound. 

Under  the  intense  earnestness  of  his  theme,  un- 
trammeled  by  narrowness  or  conventionality,  he 
gradually  rose  to  the  highest  pitch  and  throbbed 
and  glowed  like  a  mighty  furnace  sending  his  fiery 
thoughts  into  the  leaden  alphabet  of  human  speech. 

The  audience  gradually  lost  sight  of  the  rhetor- 
ical skill,  the  dazzling  imagery,  the  profound  logic, 
the  theological  insight,  the  striking  gestures,  the 
flashing  eyes,  the  heaving  bosom,  the  giant's 
strength  as  that  Christian  Athlete  placed  before 
them  the  Hz'ing  Christ. 

The  temple,  the  denomination,  the  man  were 
forgotten  as  the  majestic  personality  of  the  Christ 
spoke  to  every  soul. 

The  professor  in  elocution  forgot  about  his  own 
profession  and  clutching  the  arms  of  his  chair 
swayed  to  and  fro  under  the  magic  of  overwhelming 
eloquence. 

The  saloon-keepers  crawled  down  in  their  seats 
quaking  in  terror  before  such  a  display  of  divine 
power. 

Helen,  in  the  beauty  of  holiness,  wiped  joyful 
tears  from  her  radiant  face. 

Capt.  Day  rose  from  his  seat  and  stood,  the 
restless  soldier  that  he  was,  waiting  the  command 
to  lead  the  vast  multitude  to  the  help  of  Christ. 


178  THE    GIANT    IN    THE    PUI,PIT. 

Had  Everett  McDonald's  masterly  intellect 
solved  with  credit  every  problem  presented  to  him, 
had  he  with  herculean  strength  bowled  down 
mountains  of  opposing  muscle  in  college  contests, 
had  he  with  cunning  craftiness  and  titanic  strength 
sent  to  defeat  one  of  the  monsters  of  the  prize 
ring,  had  he  wept  with  fatherly  tenderness  over  the 
struggling  sinner  in  the  cabin — all,  all  of  this  power 
now  admirably  adjusted  and  finely  proportioned 
focused  itself  into  a  burning,  an  overmastering  ap- 
peal  for   the    salvation   of  the   sinful. 

Under  the  momentum  of  that  appeal  fathers 
and  mothers,  husbands  and  wives,  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, saints  and  sinners  crowded  around  that  Metho- 
dist altar  and  became  one  in  Christ  Jesus. 

That  night  was  but  the  beginning  of  the  con- 
tinuous outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  pastor 
and  people  where  God's  kingdom  comes  and  His  will 
is  done  on  earth  as  it  is  desired  in  heaven. 


3  1976  00817  0570  ^^  ^  \^^Q 


DATE  DUE 

l»niNTEO  IN  U.S.*. 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA    000  663  324    2 


